To Quote vs Quoting 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 quote (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to quote this famous saying in my speech.

Quoting (Gerund)

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

Example

Quoting is an important skill for journalists.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To quote (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To quote is a common practice in academic writing.

  To quote is a common practice in academic writing.

  • "*To quote*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice in academic writing).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to quote from this book.

  She wants me to quote from this book.

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

  I need a reliable source to quote in my research paper.

  I need a reliable source to quote in my research paper.

  • "*To quote* in my research paper" modifies the noun "source."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reliable source *to quote* in my research paper).

Quoting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Quoting accurately is crucial in news reporting.

  Quoting accurately is crucial in news reporting.

  • "*Quoting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (crucial in news reporting).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy quoting famous lines from movies.

  I enjoy quoting famous lines from movies.

  • "*Quoting* famous lines from movies" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*quoting* famous lines from movies).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for quoting Shakespeare.

  She has a talent for quoting Shakespeare.

  • "For *quoting* Shakespeare" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *quoting* Shakespeare).

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 quote from various authors in his presentation.

They hope to quote their favorite author in the article.

She wants to quote the expert's opinion in her thesis.

We decided to quote the relevant statistics in our report.

They agreed to quote the interviewee's statement in the article.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

He enjoys quoting famous philosophers in his articles.

They recommend quoting multiple sources for credibility.

I avoid quoting unreliable websites in my research.

Can you imagine yourself quoting your favorite author in an interview?

She is considering quoting experts in her upcoming book.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to quote inspiring words in my presentations. I like quoting famous speeches in my presentations.

We started to quote from this book. We started quoting from this book.

He began to quote extensively in his articles. He began quoting extensively in his articles.