To Rain vs Raining 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 rain (Infinitive)

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

Example

I hope to rain will stop soon.

Raining (Gerund)

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

Example

Raining can be quite relaxing.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To rain (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To rain is a natural phenomenon.

  To rain is a natural phenomenon.

  • "*To rain*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural phenomenon).
• 2. Object

  We need the rain to water our plants.

  We need the rain to water our plants.

  • "The rain *to water* our plants" is the object of the verb "need."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (the rain *to water* our plants).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  She brought an umbrella to protect herself from the rain.

  She brought an umbrella to protect herself from the rain.

  • "*To protect* herself from the rain" modifies the noun "umbrella."
  • Noun (She) + verb (brought) + noun phrase (an umbrella *to protect* herself from the rain).

Raining (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Raining always makes me feel calm.

  Raining always makes me feel calm.

  • "*Raining*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (always makes) + noun phrase (me feel calm).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy raining on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

  I enjoy raining on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

  • "*Raining* on a lazy Sunday afternoon" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*raining* on a lazy Sunday afternoon).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She loves the sound of raining outside her window.

  She loves the sound of raining outside her window.

  • "The sound of *raining* outside her window" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (loves) + noun phrase (the sound of *raining* outside her window).

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

• hope
• want
• decide
• wish
• plan

Example

I hope to rain will bring some relief from the heat.

They want to rain for their crops to grow.

We decided to rain was the perfect weather for a cozy day at home.

He wishes to rain would stop so he can go outside.

She plans to rain on their parade by bringing an umbrella.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• imagine

Example

They enjoy raining for a peaceful atmosphere.

He avoids raining on his parade by always carrying an umbrella.

I am considering raining as a career option.

They recommend raining for a good night's sleep.

Can you imagine raining on a sunny day?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to rain during the summer months. I like raining during the summer months.

We started to rain just as we left the house. We started raining just as we left the house.

He began to rain heavily in the evening. He began raining heavily in the evening.