To Prepare vs Preparing 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 prepare (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to prepare a delicious meal for my guests.

Preparing (Gerund)

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

Example

Preparing meals can be time-consuming but rewarding.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To prepare (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To prepare is an essential step in cooking.

  To prepare is an essential step in cooking.

  • "*To prepare*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential step in cooking).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to prepare dinner tonight.

  She wants me to prepare dinner tonight.

  • "Me *to prepare* dinner tonight" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to prepare* dinner tonight).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a sharp knife to prepare the ingredients.

  I need a sharp knife to prepare the ingredients.

  • "*To prepare* the ingredients" modifies the noun "knife."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a sharp knife *to prepare* the ingredients).

Preparing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Preparing meals requires patience and skill.

  Preparing meals requires patience and skill.

  • "*Preparing* meals" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (patience and skill).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy preparing different cuisines.

  I enjoy preparing different cuisines.

  • "*Preparing* different cuisines" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*preparing* different cuisines).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for preparing elaborate desserts.

  She has a passion for preparing elaborate desserts.

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

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 prepare a special surprise for her friend's birthday.

They hope to prepare a successful presentation for the meeting.

He wants to prepare for the exam in advance.

We decided to prepare a picnic for the weekend.

They agreed to prepare a detailed report together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys preparing meals for her family.

They recommend preparing a weekly meal plan for better organization.

I dislike the process of preparing complicated recipes.

He avoids preparing dishes that contain allergens.

Can you imagine yourself preparing gourmet meals for a living?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to prepare her own meals. She likes preparing her own meals.

We started to prepare early for the party. We started preparing early for the party.

He began to prepare the ingredients for the recipe. He began preparing the ingredients for the recipe.