To Occur vs Occurring 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 occur (Infinitive)

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

Example

I hope to occur at the event to meet new people.

Occurring (Gerund)

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

Example

Occurring frequently, the issue needs to be addressed.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To occur (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To occur is unpredictable.

  To occur is unpredictable.

  • "*To occur*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (unpredictable).
• 2. Object

  They want the event to occur in their city.

  They want the event to occur in their city.

  • "The event *to occur* in their city" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (the event *to occur* in their city).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a venue to occur on the specified date.

  We need a venue to occur on the specified date.

  • "*To occur* on the specified date" modifies the noun "venue."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a venue *to occur* on the specified date).

Occurring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Occurring frequently, the problem is becoming worse.

  Occurring frequently, the problem is becoming worse.

  • "*Occurring* frequently" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (becoming worse).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys the excitement of occurring events.

  She enjoys the excitement of occurring events.

  • "The excitement of *occurring* events" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + noun phrase (the excitement of *occurring* events).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  I am worried about the possibility of occurring accidents.

  I am worried about the possibility of occurring accidents.

  • "About the possibility of *occurring* accidents" is the object of the preposition "about."
  • Noun phrase (I) + verb (am) + prepositional phrase (worried about the possibility of *occurring* accidents).

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
• wish
• decide
• demand
• hope

Example

She plans to occur at the party tonight.

I wish to occur at the right moment.

They decided to occur during the summer festival.

He demands to occur as scheduled.

We hope to occur in the next meeting.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• imagine

Example

He avoids occurring mistakes in his work.

They recommend occurring regular check-ups for better health.

I am considering occurring a new hobby.

Do you mind occurring late to the meeting?

Can you imagine occurring such a situation?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to occur in unexpected places. I like occurring in unexpected places.

They started to occur more frequently. They started occurring more frequently.

We began to occur simultaneously. We began occurring simultaneously.