To Mingle vs Mingling 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 mingle (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to mingle with different cultures during my travels.

Mingling (Gerund)

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

Example

Mingling is a great way to expand your professional network.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To mingle (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To mingle is a great way to make new friends.

  To mingle is a great way to make new friends.

  • "*To mingle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to make new friends).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to mingle at the party.

  She wants me to mingle at the party.

  • "Me *to mingle* at the party" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to mingle* at the party).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a social event to mingle with potential clients.

  I need a social event to mingle with potential clients.

  • "*To mingle* with potential clients" modifies the noun "social event."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a social event *to mingle* with potential clients).

Mingling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Mingling with different cultures can broaden your perspective.

  Mingling with different cultures can broaden your perspective.

  • "*Mingling* with different cultures" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can) + noun phrase (broaden your perspective).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy mingling at social gatherings.

  I enjoy mingling at social gatherings.

  • "*Mingling* at social gatherings" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*mingling* at social gatherings).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for mingling with diverse groups of people.

  She has a talent for mingling with diverse groups of people.

  • "For *mingling*" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *mingling* with diverse groups of people).

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
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

She plans to mingle at the networking event tomorrow.

They hope to mingle with influential people during the conference.

He wants to mingle at the charity gala.

We decided to mingle at the cocktail party this weekend.

They agreed to mingle with the VIPs at the reception.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys mingling at parties and events.

They recommend regular mingling for professional growth.

I dislike the idea of mingling with strangers.

He avoids mingling in large crowds.

Can you imagine yourself mingling with celebrities?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to mingle with people from different backgrounds. She likes mingling with people from different backgrounds.

We started to mingle at networking events. We started mingling at networking events.

He began to mingle at social gatherings. He began mingling at social gatherings.