To Recite vs Reciting 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 recite (Infinitive)

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

Example

I promise to recite the poem at the talent show.

Reciting (Gerund)

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

Example

Reciting helps improve memory and focus.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To recite (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To recite is a valuable skill for public speaking.

  To recite is a valuable skill for public speaking.

  • "*To recite*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a valuable skill for public speaking).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to recite the speech for her.

  She wants me to recite the speech for her.

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

  I need a script to recite during the play.

  I need a script to recite during the play.

  • "*To recite* during the play" modifies the noun "script."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a script *to recite* during the play).

Reciting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Reciting requires practice and confidence.

  Reciting requires practice and confidence.

  • "*Reciting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (practice and confidence).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy reciting poetry to an audience.

  I enjoy reciting poetry to an audience.

  • "*Reciting* poetry to an audience" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*reciting* poetry to an audience).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for reciting Shakespearean sonnets.

  She has a talent for reciting Shakespearean sonnets.

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

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

She plans to recite a poem at the event tomorrow.

They hope to recite together in the competition.

He wants to recite his favorite lines on stage.

We decided to recite a famous passage during the ceremony.

They agreed to recite a duet at the recital.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys reciting famous speeches in front of a crowd.

They recommend daily reciting for language fluency.

I dislike the idea of reciting in public.

He avoids reciting long passages.

Can you imagine yourself reciting a poem in front of thousands of people?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to recite her favorite quotes. She likes reciting her favorite quotes.

We started to recite poetry together. We started reciting poetry together.

He began to recite Shakespearean plays. He began reciting Shakespearean plays.