To Risk vs Risking 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 risk (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to risk getting caught.

Risking (Gerund)

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

Example

Risking it all can lead to great rewards.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To risk (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To risk is a necessary part of entrepreneurship.

  To risk is a necessary part of entrepreneurship.

  • "*To risk*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a necessary part of entrepreneurship).
• 2. Object

  She doesn't allow me to risk my life for others.

  She doesn't allow me to risk my life for others.

  • "Me *to risk* my life for others" is the object of the verb "allow."
  • Noun (She) + verb (allow) + noun phrase (me *to risk* my life for others).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a safety net to risk investing in stocks.

  He needs a safety net to risk investing in stocks.

  • "*To risk* investing in stocks" modifies the noun "safety net."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a safety net *to risk* investing in stocks).

Risking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Risking is a calculated strategy in the business world.

  Risking is a calculated strategy in the business world.

  • "*Risking*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a calculated strategy in the business world).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy risking my money in high-risk investments.

  I enjoy risking my money in high-risk investments.

  • "*Risking* my money in high-risk investments" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*risking* my money in high-risk investments).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for risking it all in pursuit of her dreams.

  She has a talent for risking it all in pursuit of her dreams.

  • "For *risking* it all in pursuit of her dreams" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *risking* it all in pursuit of her dreams).

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

• decide
• want
• refuse
• attempt
• pretend

Example

They decided to risk their savings on the new business venture.

I want to risk everything for a chance at success.

She refuses to risk her reputation for dishonest gain.

He attempted to risk climbing the highest peak in the world.

They pretend to risk their lives in a thrilling adventure.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• imagine

Example

He avoids risking his reputation by always being honest.

They are considering risking their savings in the stock market.

Experts recommend carefully risking only what you can afford to lose.

I don't mind risking a little for potential big gains.

Can you imagine risking it all for your passion?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to risk everything for a chance at success. She likes risking it all for a chance at success.

We started to risk our savings on the new business venture. We started risking our savings on the new business venture.

He began to risk his life for a greater purpose. He began risking his life for a greater purpose.