To Put vs Putting 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 put (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to put the groceries away.

Putting (Gerund)

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

Example

Putting on sunscreen is essential to protect your skin.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To put (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To put the puzzle together requires patience and focus.

  To put the puzzle together requires patience and focus.

  • "*To put* the puzzle together" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (patience and focus).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to put the book on the shelf.

  She wants me to put the book on the shelf.

  • "Me *to put* the book on the shelf" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to put* the book on the shelf).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a ladder to put up the Christmas lights.

  He needs a ladder to put up the Christmas lights.

  • "*To put* up the Christmas lights" modifies the noun "ladder."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a ladder *to put* up the Christmas lights).

Putting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Putting on makeup can be a fun and creative process.

  Putting on makeup can be a fun and creative process.

  • "*Putting* on makeup" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (a fun and creative process).
• 2. Object

  He enjoys putting his thoughts into words.

  He enjoys putting his thoughts into words.

  • "*Putting* his thoughts into words" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*putting* his thoughts into words).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for putting people at ease.

  She has a talent for putting people at ease.

  • "For *putting* people at ease" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *putting* people at ease).

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 put the furniture in the living room tomorrow.

I hope to put my ideas into action soon.

She wants to put the finishing touches on the project.

We decided to put our plan into motion.

They agreed to put their differences aside for the sake of the team.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

They enjoy putting together puzzles as a family.

Experts recommend putting your phone away before bed.

I avoid putting off tasks until the last minute.

Can you imagine putting yourself in someone else's shoes?

We are considering putting in a new garden.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to put flowers in a vase. She likes putting flowers in a vase.

We started to put our plan into action. We started putting our plan into action.

He began to put his ideas into practice. He began putting his ideas into practice.