To Realize vs Realizing 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 realize (Infinitive)

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

Example

I hope to realize my dreams and aspirations.

Realizing (Gerund)

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

Example

Realizing your dreams requires determination and perseverance.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To realize (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To realize your potential is a lifelong journey.

  To realize your potential is a lifelong journey.

  • "*To realize* your potential" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (your potential).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to realize my mistakes.

  She wants me to realize my mistakes.

  • "Me *to realize* my mistakes" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to realize* my mistakes).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a mentor to realize my full potential.

  I need a mentor to realize my full potential.

  • "*To realize* my full potential" modifies the noun "mentor."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a mentor *to realize* my full potential).

Realizing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Realizing your goals is a fulfilling experience.

  Realizing your goals is a fulfilling experience.

  • "*Realizing* your goals" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a fulfilling experience).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy realizing my creative ideas.

  I enjoy realizing my creative ideas.

  • "*Realizing* my creative ideas" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*realizing* my creative ideas).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for realizing innovative solutions.

  She has a talent for realizing innovative solutions.

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

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 realize his dreams through hard work.

We hope to realize our goals in the near future.

They want to realize their true potential in their careers.

She decided to realize her dreams by taking risks.

They agreed to realize their vision through teamwork.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys realizing his potential in his career.

They recommend realizing your dreams through hard work.

I am considering realizing my ambitions in a different field.

She avoids realizing her mistakes by being more careful.

Can you imagine realizing your wildest dreams?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to realize her goals and aspirations. She likes realizing her goals and aspirations.

We started to realize our potential at a young age. We started realizing our potential at a young age.

He began to realize his dreams through hard work. He began realizing his dreams through hard work.