To Rest vs Resting 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 rest (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to rest after a long day of work.

Resting (Gerund)

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

Example

Resting helps in rejuvenating the body and mind.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To rest (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To rest is essential for our overall well-being.

  To rest is essential for our overall well-being.

  • "*To rest*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for our overall well-being).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to rest at her place.

  She wants me to rest at her place.

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

  I need a comfortable bed to rest my tired body.

  I need a comfortable bed to rest my tired body.

  • "*To rest* my tired body" modifies the noun "bed."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a comfortable bed *to rest* my tired body).

Resting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Resting is important for recovery after intense physical activity.

  Resting is important for recovery after intense physical activity.

  • "*Resting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for recovery after intense physical activity).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy resting in a cozy hammock.

  I enjoy resting in a cozy hammock.

  • "*Resting* in a cozy hammock" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*resting* in a cozy hammock).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of resting after lunch.

  She has a habit of resting after lunch.

  • "Of *resting* after lunch" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *resting* after lunch).

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 rest at the beach this weekend.

They hope to rest during their vacation.

She wants to rest in a peaceful environment.

We decided to rest at home today.

They agreed to rest for a while before continuing their journey.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys resting on the beach under the sun.

Doctors recommend regular resting for better health.

I dislike the idea of resting in uncomfortable places.

She avoids resting in noisy environments.

Can you imagine yourself resting in a peaceful garden?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to rest in a quiet room. She likes resting in a quiet room.

We started to rest early in the evening. We started resting early in the evening.

He began to rest for longer periods of time. He began resting for longer periods of time.