To Participate vs Participating 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 participate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to participate in the event to support a good cause.

Participating (Gerund)

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

Example

Participating in community service activities is fulfilling.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To participate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To participate is a great opportunity for personal growth.

  To participate is a great opportunity for personal growth.

  • "*To participate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great opportunity for personal growth).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to participate in the project.

  She wants me to participate in the project.

  • "Me *to participate* in the project" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to participate* in the project).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a team to participate in the competition.

  We need a team to participate in the competition.

  • "*To participate* in the competition" modifies the noun "team."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a team *to participate* in the competition).

Participating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Participating in team sports promotes camaraderie.

  Participating in team sports promotes camaraderie.

  • "*Participating* in team sports" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (promotes) + noun phrase (camaraderie).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy participating in volunteer work.

  I enjoy participating in volunteer work.

  • "*Participating* in volunteer work" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*participating* in volunteer work).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a passion for participating in social events.

  They have a passion for participating in social events.

  • "For *participating* in social events" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a passion for *participating* in social events).

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

They plan to participate in the marathon next month.

I hope to participate in the workshop.

He wants to participate in the debate competition.

She decided to participate in the talent show.

We agreed to participate in the charity event.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys participating in outdoor activities.

They recommend regular participating in community projects.

I dislike the idea of participating in team-building exercises.

He avoids participating in high-risk activities.

Can you imagine yourself participating in a singing competition?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

We like to participate in charity events. We like participating in charity events.

She started to participate in the club activities. She started participating in the club activities.

He began to participate actively in community service. He began participating actively in community service.