To Promise vs Promising 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 promise (Infinitive)

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

Example

I promised to help him with his project.

Promising (Gerund)

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

Example

Promising is not enough, you need to deliver.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To promise (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To promise is a sign of commitment.

  To promise is a sign of commitment.

  • "*To promise*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of commitment).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to promise her that I will be there.

  She wants me to promise her that I will be there.

  • "Me *to promise* her that I will be there" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to promise* her that I will be there).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a pen to promise my signature.

  I need a pen to promise my signature.

  • "*To promise* my signature" modifies the noun "pen."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a pen *to promise* my signature).

Promising (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Promising is the first step towards success.

  Promising is the first step towards success.

  • "*Promising*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the first step towards success).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy promising my friends a great time.

  I enjoy promising my friends a great time.

  • "*Promising* my friends a great time" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*promising* my friends a great time).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for promising things she can't deliver.

  She has a talent for promising things she can't deliver.

  • "For *promising* things she can't deliver" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *promising* things she can't deliver).

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

• agree
• hope
• want
• decide
• learn

Example

They agreed to promise not to reveal the secret.

I hope to promise a better future for my children.

He wants to promise his loyalty to the team.

We decided to promise to support each other.

She learned to promise herself to always be honest.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

He enjoys promising his customers exceptional service.

They recommend promising only what you can deliver.

I avoid promising unrealistic outcomes.

Can you imagine promising a better future for yourself?

She is considering promising a donation to the charity.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I like to promise myself to be better every day. I like promising myself to be better every day.

We began to promise each other to always stay in touch. We began promising each other to always stay in touch.

He continues to promise his support to the cause. He continues promising his support to the cause.