To Place vs Placing 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 place (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to place the vase on the table.

Placing (Gerund)

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

Example

Placing the keys in a safe spot is important.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To place (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To place the vase requires careful precision.

  To place the vase requires careful precision.

  • "*To place* the vase" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + adjective phrase (careful precision).
• 2. Object

  She asked me to place the books on the shelf.

  She asked me to place the books on the shelf.

  • "Me *to place* the books on the shelf" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to place* the books on the shelf).
• 3. Adverb Modifier

  I need a ladder to place the picture higher.

  I need a ladder to place the picture higher.

  • "*To place* the picture higher" modifies the noun "ladder."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a ladder *to place* the picture higher).

Placing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Placing the blame on others is not fair.

  Placing the blame on others is not fair.

  • "*Placing* the blame on others" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the blame on others).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy placing flowers in vases.

  I enjoy placing flowers in vases.

  • "*Placing* flowers in vases" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*placing* flowers in vases).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for placing objects in the right position.

  She has a talent for placing objects in the right position.

  • "For *placing* objects in the right position" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *placing* objects in the right position).

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 place the order tomorrow.

They hope to place first in the competition.

He wants to place the furniture in the living room.

We decided to place the plants by the window.

They agreed to place the artwork on the wall.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys placing decorations around the house.

They recommend placing the dishes in the dishwasher.

I dislike the idea of placing the furniture in that corner.

He avoids placing himself in uncomfortable situations.

Can you imagine yourself placing first in the competition?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to place the items neatly on the shelf. She likes placing the items neatly on the shelf.

We started to place the puzzle pieces together. We started placing the puzzle pieces together.

He began to place the ingredients in the bowl. He began placing the ingredients in the bowl.