To Refer vs Referring 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 refer (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to refer to the manual for instructions.

Referring (Gerund)

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

Example

Referring to reliable sources is crucial in research.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To refer (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To refer is an important skill in academic writing.

  To refer is an important skill in academic writing.

  • "*To refer*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important skill in academic writing).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to refer to her in the meeting.

  She wants me to refer to her in the meeting.

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

  I need a book to refer to for this project.

  I need a book to refer to for this project.

  • "*To refer* to for this project" modifies the noun "book."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a book *to refer* to for this project).

Referring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Referring to different perspectives can lead to a well-rounded discussion.

  Referring to different perspectives can lead to a well-rounded discussion.

  • "*Referring* to different perspectives" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead to) + noun phrase (a well-rounded discussion).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy referring to books for information.

  I enjoy referring to books for information.

  • "*Referring* to books for information" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*referring* to books for information).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of referring to experts for advice.

  She has a habit of referring to experts for advice.

  • "Of *referring* to experts for advice" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *referring* to experts for advice).

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 refer to the notes during the presentation.

They hope to refer to the previous research for their study.

He wants to refer to the case study for his argument.

We decided to refer to the data analysis for our conclusions.

They agreed to refer to the expert opinion in their report.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• postpone
• deny

Example

They recommend referring to the guidelines for proper usage.

I am considering referring to a specialist for further evaluation.

He avoids referring to outdated sources in his research.

We postponed referring to the statistics until the next meeting.

They deny referring to any unauthorized sources in their report.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to refer to examples in her presentations. She likes referring to examples in her presentations.

We started to refer to the new guidelines. We started referring to the new guidelines.

He began to refer to the textbook for clarification. He began referring to the textbook for clarification.