To Recycle vs Recycling 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 recycle (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to recycle all of my plastic bottles to help the environment.

Recycling (Gerund)

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

Example

Recycling helps to reduce waste and conserve resources.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To recycle (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To recycle is an important step towards sustainability.

  To recycle is an important step towards sustainability.

  • "*To recycle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step towards sustainability).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to recycle all the paper in the office.

  She wants me to recycle all the paper in the office.

  • "Me *to recycle* all the paper in the office" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to recycle* all the paper in the office).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a separate bin to recycle glass.

  We need a separate bin to recycle glass.

  • "*To recycle* glass" modifies the noun "bin."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a separate bin *to recycle* glass).

Recycling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Recycling is an effective way to protect the environment.

  Recycling is an effective way to protect the environment.

  • "*Recycling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an effective way to protect the environment).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy recycling cans and bottles.

  I enjoy recycling cans and bottles.

  • "*Recycling* cans and bottles" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*recycling* cans and bottles).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for recycling.

  She has a passion for recycling.

  • "For *recycling*" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *recycling*).

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

They plan to recycle all their household waste.

I hope to recycle more in the future.

He wants to recycle all the old electronics.

We decided to recycle our paper and cardboard.

They agreed to recycle all the plastic bags.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

He enjoys recycling paper and cardboard.

They recommend regular recycling for a greener planet.

We should avoid recycling contaminated materials.

I am considering recycling my old electronics.

Can you imagine recycling all the plastic waste?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to recycle plastic bottles. I like recycling plastic bottles.

They started to recycle their paper waste. They started recycling their paper waste.

He began to recycle his glass containers. He began recycling his glass containers.