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 achieve success.

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 your interests can lead to personal growth.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To pursue (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To pursue a career in music requires dedication and hard work.

  To pursue a career in music requires dedication and hard work.

  • "*To pursue* a career in music" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (a career in music).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to pursue higher education.

  She wants me to pursue higher education.

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

  I need a plan to pursue my goals.

  I need a plan to pursue my goals.

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

Pursuing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Pursuing hobbies and interests is a great way to relax.

  Pursuing hobbies and interests is a great way to relax.

  • "*Pursuing* hobbies and interests" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to relax).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy pursuing new opportunities.

  I enjoy pursuing new opportunities.

  • "*Pursuing* new opportunities" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*pursuing* new opportunities).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for pursuing knowledge.

  She has a passion for pursuing knowledge.

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

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 pursue a master's degree in business administration.

They hope to pursue their passion for photography as a profession.

He wants to pursue a career in medicine.

We decided to pursue further studies in the field of science.

They agreed to pursue their dreams together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys pursuing her hobbies in her free time.

They recommend pursuing higher education for better career prospects.

I dislike the idea of pursuing a job that doesn't align with my values.

He avoids pursuing activities that don't bring him joy.

Can you imagine yourself pursuing your passion as a full-time career?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to pursue her dreams. She likes pursuing her dreams.

We started to pursue our goals. We started pursuing our goals.

He began to pursue his passion for art. He began pursuing his passion for art.