To Promenade vs Promenading 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 promenade (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to promenade along the beach.

Promenading (Gerund)

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

Example

Promenading is a lovely way to enjoy the scenery.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To promenade (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To promenade is a popular activity in the park.

  To promenade is a popular activity in the park.

  • "*To promenade*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a popular activity in the park).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to promenade with her in the evening.

  She wants me to promenade with her in the evening.

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

  I need a beautiful place to promenade.

  I need a beautiful place to promenade.

  • "*To promenade*" modifies the noun "place."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a beautiful place *to promenade*).

Promenading (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Promenading is a common sight in this neighborhood.

  Promenading is a common sight in this neighborhood.

  • "*Promenading*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common sight in this neighborhood).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy promenading along the riverbank.

  I enjoy promenading along the riverbank.

  • "*Promenading* along the riverbank" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*promenading* along the riverbank).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for promenading in beautiful places.

  She has a passion for promenading in beautiful places.

  • "For *promenading* in beautiful places" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *promenading* in beautiful places).

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

They plan to promenade in the park tomorrow.

I hope to promenade under the moonlight tonight.

He wants to promenade along the river.

We decided to promenade in the city center.

They agreed to promenade together in the evening.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy promenading in the park every evening.

I recommend regular promenading for relaxation.

He dislikes the idea of promenading in crowded areas.

She avoids promenading during rush hour.

Can you imagine yourself promenading on the beach at sunset?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to promenade in the garden. She likes promenading in the garden.

We started to promenade regularly. We started promenading regularly.

He began to promenade every evening. He began promenading every evening.