To Pose vs Posing 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 pose (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to pose for a professional photographer.

Posing (Gerund)

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

Example

Posing for pictures is one of her favorite hobbies.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To pose (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To pose requires patience and skill.

  To pose requires patience and skill.

  • "*To pose*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (patience and skill).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to pose as a model for her painting.

  She wants me to pose as a model for her painting.

  • "Me *to pose* as a model for her painting" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to pose* as a model for her painting).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a good backdrop to pose in front of.

  I need a good backdrop to pose in front of.

  • "*To pose* in front of" modifies the noun "backdrop."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a good backdrop *to pose* in front of).

Posing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Posing can be tiring if done for long periods of time.

  Posing can be tiring if done for long periods of time.

  • "*Posing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective phrase (tiring if done for long periods of time).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy posing in different poses for my Instagram followers.

  I enjoy posing in different poses for my Instagram followers.

  • "*Posing* in different poses for my Instagram followers" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*posing* in different poses for my Instagram followers).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for posing with grace and elegance.

  She has a talent for posing with grace and elegance.

  • "For *posing* with grace and elegance" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *posing* with grace and elegance).

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 pose for a photoshoot next week.

They hope to pose for a famous fashion magazine someday.

He wants to pose in front of a beautiful landscape.

We decided to pose for a group picture at the party.

They agreed to pose together for a family portrait.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys posing for professional photographers.

They recommend posing in natural light for better photos.

I dislike the idea of posing in uncomfortable positions.

He avoids posing in front of large crowds.

Can you imagine yourself posing as a model for a famous brand?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to pose in front of historical landmarks. She likes posing in front of historical landmarks.

We started to pose for family portraits. We started posing for family portraits.

He began to pose professionally. He began posing professionally.