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 want 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 dedication and perseverance.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To realize (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To realize your potential is a great achievement.

  To realize your potential is a great achievement.

  • "*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 true worth.

  She wants me to realize my true worth.

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

  I need a mentor to realize my goals.

  I need a mentor to realize my goals.

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

Realizing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Realizing your goals takes time and effort.

  Realizing your goals takes time and effort.

  • "*Realizing* your goals" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (takes) + noun phrase (time and effort).
• 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

• hope
• plan
• want
• decide
• choose

Example

They hope to realize their dreams in the near future.

She plans to realize her ambitions through hard work.

He wants to realize his full potential in his career.

We decided to realize our vision by taking calculated risks.

I choose to realize my dreams rather than settling for less.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• mind

Example

She enjoys realizing her potential in every aspect of life.

They recommend realizing your passions for a fulfilling life.

I avoid realizing my mistakes too late in the game.

He considers realizing his dreams as his top priority.

Do you mind realizing your true worth and potential?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to realize my goals and aspirations. I would like realizing my dreams and aspirations.

They started to realize their potential at a young age. They started realizing their potential at a young age.

He began to realize his true calling in life. He began realizing his true calling in life.