To React vs Reacting 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 react (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to react quickly to any changes in the situation.

Reacting (Gerund)

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

Example

Reacting quickly is crucial in this competitive environment.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To react (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To react is essential in emergency situations.

  To react is essential in emergency situations.

  • "*To react*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (essential).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to react immediately to her message.

  She wants me to react immediately to her message.

  • "Me *to react* immediately to her message" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to react* immediately to her message).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  They need a fast internet connection to react in real-time.

  They need a fast internet connection to react in real-time.

  • "*To react* in real-time" modifies the noun phrase "a fast internet connection."
  • Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a fast internet connection *to react* in real-time).

Reacting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Reacting promptly can prevent further damage.

  Reacting promptly can prevent further damage.

  • "*Reacting* promptly" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can prevent) + noun phrase (further damage).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy reacting to challenging situations.

  I enjoy reacting to challenging situations.

  • "*Reacting* to challenging situations" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*reacting* to challenging situations).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has experience in reacting quickly to unexpected events.

  He has experience in reacting quickly to unexpected events.

  • "In *reacting* quickly to unexpected events" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience in *reacting* quickly to unexpected events).

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 react calmly in stressful situations.

We hope to react positively to the news.

She wants to react proactively to any challenges.

They decided to react differently to the criticism.

I agreed to react immediately to any emergencies.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

They enjoy reacting creatively to new ideas.

Experts recommend reacting calmly in tense situations.

I avoid reacting impulsively to provocation.

She is considering reacting differently to criticism.

Can you imagine yourself reacting under pressure?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

We like to react quickly in emergency situations. We like reacting quickly in emergency situations.

He started to react immediately to any changes. He started reacting immediately to any changes.

She began to react differently to negative feedback. She began reacting differently to negative feedback.