To Pursue vs Pursuing 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 pursue (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to pursue my dreams and never give up.

Pursuing (Gerund)

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

Example

Pursuing a healthy lifestyle can lead to long-term benefits.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To pursue (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To pursue your passion is important for a fulfilling life.

  To pursue your passion is important for a fulfilling life.

  • "*To pursue* your passion" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important for a fulfilling life).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to pursue a career in medicine.

  She wants me to pursue a career in medicine.

  • "Me *to pursue* a career in medicine" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to pursue* a career in medicine).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a degree to pursue my desired profession.

  I need a degree to pursue my desired profession.

  • "*To pursue* my desired profession" modifies the noun "degree."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a degree *to pursue* my desired profession).

Pursuing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Pursuing your dreams requires dedication and hard work.

  Pursuing your dreams requires dedication and hard work.

  • "*Pursuing* your dreams" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (dedication and hard work).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy pursuing outdoor activities like hiking and biking.

  I enjoy pursuing outdoor activities like hiking and biking.

  • "*Pursuing* outdoor activities like hiking and biking" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*pursuing* outdoor activities like hiking and biking).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for pursuing knowledge and learning new things.

  She has a passion for pursuing knowledge and learning new things.

  • "For *pursuing* knowledge and learning new things" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *pursuing* knowledge and learning new things).

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

He plans to pursue higher education after graduation.

They hope to pursue their dreams and make a difference.

She wants to pursue a career in the arts.

We decided to pursue our goals no matter what.

They agreed to pursue a joint venture together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys pursuing creative hobbies like painting and writing.

They recommend pursuing further education for career advancement.

I dislike the idea of pursuing a career solely for financial gain.

She avoids pursuing activities that do not align with her values.

Can you imagine yourself pursuing your passion every day?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to pursue a career in journalism. I would like pursuing a career in journalism.

He started to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. He started pursuing his dream of becoming an actor.

She began to pursue her interest in photography. She began pursuing her interest in photography.