To Migrate vs Migrating Infinitives & Gerunds

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To migrate (Infinitive)

Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to migrate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action

Example

The birds migrate to warmer climates during the winter.

Migrating (Gerund)

Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "migrating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.

Example

Migrating to a new country can be both exciting and challenging.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To migrate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To migrate is a natural instinct for many animals.

  To migrate is a natural instinct for many animals.

  • "*To migrate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural instinct for many animals).
• 2. Object

  She wants the birds to migrate earlier this year.

  She wants the birds to migrate earlier this year.

  • "The birds *to migrate* earlier this year" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (the birds *to migrate* earlier this year).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a larger cage to migrate the butterflies.

  We need a larger cage to migrate the butterflies.

  • "*To migrate* the butterflies" modifies the noun "cage."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a larger cage *to migrate* the butterflies).

Migrating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Migrating requires careful planning and preparation.

  Migrating requires careful planning and preparation.

  • "*Migrating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful planning and preparation).
• 2. Object

  He enjoys migrating to different places and experiencing new cultures.

  He enjoys migrating to different places and experiencing new cultures.

  • "*Migrating* to different places and experiencing new cultures" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*migrating* to different places and experiencing new cultures).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have always dreamt of migrating for a better future.

  They have always dreamt of migrating for a better future.

  • "Of *migrating* for a better future" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (always dreamt of *migrating* for a better future).

Verbs Taking Infinitives/Gerunds as Objects

The following are verbs that can take only the base form of the verb (infinitive), only the -ing form (gerund), or both.

Verbs Taking Infinitives as Objects

• plan
• hope
• decide
• refuse
• attempt

Example

They plan to migrate to a different country next year.

I hope to migrate to a warmer climate soon.

He decided to migrate for better job opportunities.

The family refused to migrate to a city with harsh winters.

She attempted to migrate with her family but faced many challenges.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

She enjoys migrating to different countries and exploring new environments.

Experts recommend proper planning and research before migrating to a new place.

He avoids migrating to areas with extreme weather conditions.

They are considering migrating for better career opportunities.

Can you imagine yourself migrating to a foreign land?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to migrate to a peaceful countryside. I would like migrating to a peaceful countryside.

They started to migrate when they realized the benefits. They started migrating when they realized the benefits.

She began to migrate after receiving a job offer. She began migrating after receiving a job offer.