To Play vs Playing 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 play (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to play soccer with my friends.

Playing (Gerund)

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

Example

Playing video games is a popular hobby among teenagers.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To play (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To play is important for children's development.

  To play is important for children's development.

  • "*To play*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for children's development).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to play the piano at her concert.

  She wants me to play the piano at her concert.

  • "Me *to play* the piano at her concert" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to play* the piano at her concert).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a guitar to play in the band.

  I need a guitar to play in the band.

  • "*To play* in the band" modifies the noun "guitar."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a guitar *to play* in the band).

Playing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Playing chess requires strategic thinking.

  Playing chess requires strategic thinking.

  • "*Playing* chess" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (strategic thinking).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy playing basketball with my friends.

  I enjoy playing basketball with my friends.

  • "*Playing* basketball with my friends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*playing* basketball with my friends).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for playing musical instruments.

  She has a passion for playing musical instruments.

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

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

• decide
• offer
• hope
• refuse
• manage

Example

We decided to play basketball instead of soccer.

He offered to play the lead role in the play.

They hope to play in the championship game.

She refused to play in the talent show.

I managed to play the song on the piano.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• mind
• understand

Example

They recommend regular playing of sports for physical fitness.

He avoids playing violent video games.

I am considering playing the guitar as a hobby.

Do you mind playing the drums for our band?

I don't understand the rules of playing poker.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to play tennis in her free time. She likes playing tennis in her free time.

We started to play the guitar together. We started playing the guitar together.

He began to play the piano at a young age. He began playing the piano at a young age.