To Pretrain vs Pretraining 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 pretrain (Infinitive)

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

Example

I plan to pretrain for the marathon to improve my endurance.

Pretraining (Gerund)

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

Example

Pretraining is a crucial step in preparing for any physical challenge.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To pretrain (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To pretrain is essential for success in competitive sports.

  To pretrain is essential for success in competitive sports.

  • "*To pretrain*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for success in competitive sports).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to pretrain with her for the race.

  She wants me to pretrain with her for the race.

  • "Me *to pretrain* with her for the race" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to pretrain* with her for the race).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a proper training program to pretrain effectively.

  I need a proper training program to pretrain effectively.

  • "*To pretrain* effectively" modifies the noun "training program."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a proper training program *to pretrain* effectively).

Pretraining (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Pretraining requires dedication and discipline.

  Pretraining requires dedication and discipline.

  • "*Pretraining*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (dedication and discipline).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy pretraining with my teammates.

  I enjoy pretraining with my teammates.

  • "*Pretraining* with my teammates" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*pretraining* with my teammates).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for pretraining in different environments.

  She has a passion for pretraining in different environments.

  • "For *pretraining*" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *pretraining* in different environments).

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
• hope
• refuse
• attempt
• wish

Example

We decided to pretrain for the upcoming competition.

They hope to pretrain together before the event.

He refused to pretrain due to lack of time.

She attempted to pretrain for the triathlon but gave up halfway.

I wish to pretrain more consistently for better results.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• delay
• imagine

Example

They recommend regular pretraining for optimal performance.

He avoids excessive pretraining to prevent burnout.

I am considering pretraining for the marathon next year.

She delayed pretraining until she recovered from an injury.

Can you imagine yourself pretraining at high altitudes?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to pretrain early in the morning. She likes pretraining early in the morning.

We started to pretrain for the triathlon. We started pretraining for the triathlon.

He began to pretrain intensively for the competition. He began pretraining intensively for the competition.