To Research vs Researching 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 research (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to research the topic before writing my paper.

Researching (Gerund)

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

Example

Researching helps us gain knowledge and understanding.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To research (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To research is an important step in the scientific process.

  To research is an important step in the scientific process.

  • "*To research*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in the scientific process).
• 2. Object

  She asked him to research the market trends.

  She asked him to research the market trends.

  • "Him *to research* the market trends" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to research* the market trends).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a reliable source to research the information.

  We need a reliable source to research the information.

  • "*To research* the information" modifies the noun "source."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reliable source *to research* the information).

Researching (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Researching is a time-consuming process.

  Researching is a time-consuming process.

  • "*Researching*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a time-consuming process).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy researching different topics.

  I enjoy researching different topics.

  • "*Researching* different topics" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*researching* different topics).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for researching historical events.

  She has a passion for researching historical events.

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

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 research the topic thoroughly.

They hope to research the issue before making a decision.

She wants to research different options before buying a new car.

We decided to research the company's history.

They agreed to research the potential benefits.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys researching new technologies.

They recommend researching multiple sources for accurate information.

I dislike the idea of researching late at night.

She avoids researching controversial topics.

Can you imagine yourself researching in a library for hours?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to research various subjects. I like researching various subjects.

They started to research the effects of climate change. They started researching the effects of climate change.

He began to research the origins of ancient civilizations. He began researching the origins of ancient civilizations.