To Return vs Returning 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 return (Infinitive)

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

Example

I promise to return the book to the library by tomorrow.

Returning (Gerund)

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

Example

Returning the favor is a kind gesture.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To return (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To return the favor, I helped him with his project.

  To return the favor, I helped him with his project.

  • "*To return* the favor" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (the favor, I helped) + noun phrase (him with his project).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to return her phone.

  She wants me to return her phone.

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

  I need a receipt to return the item.

  I need a receipt to return the item.

  • "*To return* the item" modifies the noun "receipt."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a receipt *to return* the item).

Returning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Returning his call was a top priority for me.

  Returning his call was a top priority for me.

  • "*Returning* his call" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (a top priority for me).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy returning to my favorite vacation spot.

  I enjoy returning to my favorite vacation spot.

  • "*Returning* to my favorite vacation spot" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*returning* to my favorite vacation spot).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for returning lost items to their owners.

  She has a passion for returning lost items to their owners.

  • "For *returning* lost items to their owners" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *returning* lost items to their owners).

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 return the package to the sender.

They hope to return to their home country soon.

He wants to return the borrowed money as soon as possible.

We decided to return the faulty product for a refund.

They agreed to return the stolen goods to their rightful owners.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys returning to her hometown every year.

They recommend returning the faulty products for a replacement.

I dislike the idea of returning to that boring job.

He avoids returning to places with bad memories.

Can you imagine yourself returning to your childhood home?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to return to her favorite restaurant. She likes returning to her favorite restaurant.

We started to return to our old routine. We started returning to our old routine.

He began to return the lost items to their owners. He began returning the lost items to their owners.