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 want to refer to the previous chapter for more information.

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 academic writing.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To refer (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To refer is essential when writing a research paper.

  To refer is essential when writing a research paper.

  • "*To refer*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (essential).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to refer to the article for guidance.

  She wants me to refer to the article for guidance.

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

  I need a dictionary to refer to while studying.

  I need a dictionary to refer to while studying.

  • "*To refer* to while studying" modifies the noun "dictionary."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a dictionary *to refer* to while studying).

Referring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Referring to experts' opinions can strengthen your argument.

  Referring to experts' opinions can strengthen your argument.

  • "*Referring* to experts' opinions" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can strengthen) + noun phrase (your argument).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy referring to this book for inspiration.

  I enjoy referring to this book for inspiration.

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

  She has a habit of referring to her notes during presentations.

  She has a habit of referring to her notes during presentations.

  • "Of *referring* to her notes during presentations" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *referring* to her notes during presentations).

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 textbook for definitions.

They hope to refer to the professor's notes for clarification.

He wants to refer to the online resource for examples.

We decided to refer to the manual for instructions.

They agreed to refer to the case study for analysis.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys referring to online articles for additional information.

They recommend referring to the style guide for formatting guidelines.

I dislike the idea of referring to outdated sources.

He avoids referring to biased studies in his research.

Can you imagine yourself referring to this resource for assistance?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to refer to this website for accurate data. She likes referring to this website for accurate data.

We started to refer to this manual for troubleshooting. We started referring to this manual for troubleshooting.

He began to refer to this guide for step-by-step instructions. He began referring to this guide for step-by-step instructions.