To Roam vs Roaming 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 roam (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to roam around the city and explore its hidden gems.

Roaming (Gerund)

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

Example

Roaming allows you to discover hidden gems in a new city.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To roam (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To roam is a great way to experience new cultures.

  To roam is a great way to experience new cultures.

  • "*To roam*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to experience new cultures).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to roam with her in the park.

  She wants me to roam with her in the park.

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

  I need a map to roam freely in this unfamiliar city.

  I need a map to roam freely in this unfamiliar city.

  • "*To roam* freely in this unfamiliar city" modifies the noun "map."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a map *to roam* freely in this unfamiliar city).

Roaming (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Roaming in the city is an exciting way to spend your day.

  Roaming in the city is an exciting way to spend your day.

  • "*Roaming* in the city" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an exciting way to spend your day).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy roaming the streets of old towns.

  I enjoy roaming the streets of old towns.

  • "*Roaming* the streets of old towns" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*roaming* the streets of old towns).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a passion for roaming through nature reserves.

  He has a passion for roaming through nature reserves.

  • "For *roaming* through nature reserves" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *roaming* through nature reserves).

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 roam the streets of Paris during his vacation.

They hope to roam through the countryside and enjoy the scenic views.

She wants to roam in the wilderness and connect with nature.

We decided to roam the ancient ruins of Rome.

They agreed to roam together in search of adventure.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys roaming in the parks and gardens of the city.

They recommend roaming the narrow streets of the old town for an authentic experience.

I dislike the idea of roaming in crowded tourist areas.

He avoids roaming alone in unfamiliar neighborhoods.

Can you imagine yourself roaming through ancient ruins?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to roam in the mountains. She likes roaming in the mountains.

We started to roam the streets of the city at night. We started roaming the streets of the city at night.

He began to roam the countryside on his bicycle. He began roaming the countryside on his bicycle.