To Remember vs Remembering 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 remember (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to remember to buy groceries on my way home.

Remembering (Gerund)

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

Example

Remembering people's names can help build better relationships.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To remember (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To remember is important for success in exams.

  To remember is important for success in exams.

  • "*To remember*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for success in exams).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to remember her birthday.

  She wants me to remember her birthday.

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

  I have a good memory to remember all the details.

  I have a good memory to remember all the details.

  • "*To remember* all the details" modifies the noun "memory."
  • Noun (I) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a good memory *to remember* all the details).

Remembering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Remembering names is a valuable skill.

  Remembering names is a valuable skill.

  • "*Remembering* names" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a valuable skill).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy remembering special moments with my family.

  I enjoy remembering special moments with my family.

  • "*Remembering* special moments with my family" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*remembering* special moments with my family).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for remembering faces.

  She has a talent for remembering faces.

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

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

He plans to remember to bring his umbrella tomorrow.

They hope to remember their lines during the performance.

She wants to remember the important dates.

We decided to remember to lock the door before leaving.

They agreed to remember to turn off the lights when leaving the room.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys remembering his childhood memories.

They recommend remembering to stay hydrated during hot weather.

I dislike the feeling of remembering past failures.

She avoids remembering traumatic experiences.

Can you imagine yourself remembering every detail of a book you read?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to remember their dreams. They like remembering their dreams.

He started to remember to take his medication. He started remembering to take his medication.

We began to remember our anniversary dates. We began remembering our anniversary dates.