To Register vs Registering 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 register (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to register for the conference before the deadline.

Registering (Gerund)

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

Example

Registering for the event is simple and easy.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To register (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To register early is highly recommended.

  To register early is highly recommended.

  • "*To register* early" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (highly recommended).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to register on her behalf.

  She wants me to register on her behalf.

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

  We need a computer to register online.

  We need a computer to register online.

  • "*To register* online" modifies the noun "computer."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a computer *to register* online).

Registering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Registering early ensures your spot in the competition.

  Registering early ensures your spot in the competition.

  • "*Registering* early" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (ensures) + noun phrase (your spot in the competition).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy registering participants for the workshop.

  I enjoy registering participants for the workshop.

  • "*Registering* participants for the workshop" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*registering* participants for the workshop).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a knack for registering new members.

  They have a knack for registering new members.

  • "For *registering* new members" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a knack for *registering* new members).

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 register for the workshop next week.

He hopes to register for the course before it fills up.

We want to register our team for the tournament.

She decided to register for the seminar at the last minute.

They agreed to register as volunteers for the event.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

She enjoys registering people for the event.

They recommend registering early to avoid any inconvenience.

He avoids registering for events that require too much paperwork.

Can you imagine yourself registering for a marathon?

I am considering registering for the training program.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to register for workshops and conferences. She likes registering for workshops and conferences.

We started to register participants for the event. We started registering participants for the event.

He began to register early for all his courses. He began registering early for all his courses.