To Miss vs Missing 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 miss (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to miss the opportunity to see my favorite band live.

Missing (Gerund)

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

Example

Missing the train can be very frustrating.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To miss (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To miss is a common feeling when you're far away from home.

  To miss is a common feeling when you're far away from home.

  • "*To miss*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (a common feeling when you're far away from home).
• 2. Object

  She doesn't want him to miss the train.

  She doesn't want him to miss the train.

  • "Him *to miss* the train" is the object of the verb "doesn't want."
  • Noun (She) + verb (doesn't want) + noun phrase (him *to miss* the train).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a reminder to miss important appointments.

  I need a reminder to miss important appointments.

  • "*To miss* important appointments" modifies the noun "reminder."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reminder *to miss* important appointments).

Missing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Missing the deadline is not an option.

  Missing the deadline is not an option.

  • "*Missing* the deadline" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not an option).
• 2. Object

  I can't stand missing important calls.

  I can't stand missing important calls.

  • "*Missing* important calls" is the object of the verb "can't stand."
  • Noun (I) + verb (can't stand) + gerund (*missing* important calls).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of missing out on opportunities.

  She has a fear of missing out on opportunities.

  • "Of *missing* out on opportunities" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *missing* out on opportunities).

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 miss the traffic by leaving early.

They hope not to miss the sunrise on their vacation.

He wants me to miss the meeting.

We decided not to miss the opportunity to travel.

They agreed to miss the party and go to the movies instead.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys missing rush hour traffic by taking back roads.

They recommend avoiding missing important details in your work.

I dislike the feeling of missing out on social events.

He avoids missing deadlines by staying organized.

Can you imagine missing your flight and being stranded?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She doesn't like to miss her favorite TV shows. She doesn't like missing her favorite TV shows.

We started to miss each other after our breakup. We started missing each other after our breakup.

He began to miss his family when he moved away. He began missing his family when he moved away.