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 a flight can be very stressful.

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).
• 2. Object

  She doesn't want me to miss the train.

  She doesn't want me to miss the train.

  • "Me *to miss* the train" is the object of the verb "doesn't want."
  • Noun (She) + verb (doesn't want) + noun phrase (me *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 a deadline is not an option.

  Missing a deadline is not an option.

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

  I regret missing the opportunity to study abroad.

  I regret missing the opportunity to study abroad.

  • "*Missing* the opportunity to study abroad" is the object of the verb "regret."
  • Noun (I) + verb (regret) + gerund (*missing* the opportunity to study abroad).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of missing out on new experiences.

  She has a fear of missing out on new experiences.

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

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 to miss the rain during their outdoor event.

He wants to miss the rush hour traffic.

We decided to miss the movie and go for dinner instead.

They agreed to miss the party and stay home.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys missing the morning traffic by leaving early.

They recommend missing rush hour for a more peaceful commute.

I dislike the feeling of missing out on social events.

He avoids missing important deadlines by setting reminders.

Can you imagine missing your flight and being stranded at the airport?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

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

We started to miss each other after being apart for so long. We started missing each other after being apart for so long.

He began to miss his family when he moved to a different country. He began missing his family when he moved to a different country.