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To Picnic vs Picnicking Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To picnic (Infinitive)

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

Example

We plan to picnic in the park tomorrow.

Picnicking (Gerund)

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

Example

Picnicking is a popular outdoor activity.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To picnic (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To picnic is a great way to enjoy nature.

    To picnic is a great way to enjoy nature.

    • "*To picnic*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to enjoy nature).
  • 2Object

    She wants us to picnic by the lake.

    She wants us to picnic by the lake.

    • "Us *to picnic* by the lake" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (us *to picnic* by the lake).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    We need a comfortable blanket to picnic on.

    We need a comfortable blanket to picnic on.

    • "*To picnic* on" modifies the noun "blanket."
    • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a comfortable blanket *to picnic* on).

Picnicking (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Picnicking with friends is always fun.

    Picnicking with friends is always fun.

    • "*Picnicking* with friends" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (always fun).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy picnicking in the countryside.

    I enjoy picnicking in the countryside.

    • "*Picnicking* in the countryside" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*picnicking* in the countryside).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a passion for picnicking.

    She has a passion for picnicking.

    • "For *picnicking*" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *picnicking*).

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

Example

They plan to picnic in the mountains next week.

I hope to picnic in the countryside this summer.

He wants to picnic in the shade.

We decided to picnic at the beach this weekend.

They agreed to picnic in the park together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

They enjoy picnicking by the river on weekends.

I recommend picnicking in the park for a peaceful day.

He dislikes the idea of picnicking in crowded places.

We avoid picnicking during rainy days.

Can you imagine yourself picnicking under the stars?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to picnic in the meadow. She likes picnicking in the meadow.

We started to picnic regularly. We started picnicking regularly.

He began to picnic in the park every Sunday. He began picnicking in the park every Sunday.

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