To Present vs Presenting 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 present (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to present my research at the conference.

Presenting (Gerund)

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

Example

Presenting is a key aspect of effective communication.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To present (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To present is an important skill for public speaking.

  To present is an important skill for public speaking.

  • "*To present*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important skill for public speaking).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to present the project to the team.

  She wants me to present the project to the team.

  • "Me *to present* the project to the team" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to present* the project to the team).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a PowerPoint presentation to present my ideas.

  I need a PowerPoint presentation to present my ideas.

  • "*To present* my ideas" modifies the noun "PowerPoint presentation."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a PowerPoint presentation *to present* my ideas).

Presenting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Presenting requires confidence and preparation.

  Presenting requires confidence and preparation.

  • "*Presenting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (confidence and preparation).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy presenting in front of large audiences.

  I enjoy presenting in front of large audiences.

  • "*Presenting* in front of large audiences" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*presenting* in front of large audiences).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for presenting complex information.

  She has a talent for presenting complex information.

  • "For *presenting* complex information" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *presenting* complex information).

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 present the proposal next week.

They hope to present their findings at the conference.

He wants to present his artwork in the gallery.

We decided to present our project to the board.

They agreed to present their research together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys presenting her ideas to the team.

They recommend regular presenting for improved communication skills.

I dislike the idea of presenting in front of a large audience.

He avoids presenting in stressful situations.

Can you imagine yourself presenting to a crowd of thousands?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to present her work at conferences. She likes presenting her work at conferences.

We started to present our findings to the team. We started presenting our findings to the team.

He began to present his ideas in meetings. He began presenting his ideas in meetings.