To Sit vs Sitting 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 sit (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to sit on the front row during the concert.

Sitting (Gerund)

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

Example

Sitting for long periods can cause back pain.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To sit (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To sit quietly is important in a library.

  To sit quietly is important in a library.

  • "*To sit* quietly" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important).
• 2. Object

  She asked me to sit next to her.

  She asked me to sit next to her.

  • "Me *to sit* next to her" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to sit* next to her).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a comfortable chair to sit in.

  I need a comfortable chair to sit in.

  • "*To sit* in" modifies the noun "chair."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a comfortable chair *to sit* in).

Sitting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Sitting all day is not good for your health.

  Sitting all day is not good for your health.

  • "*Sitting* all day" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not good for your health).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy sitting by the fireplace in winter.

  I enjoy sitting by the fireplace in winter.

  • "*Sitting* by the fireplace in winter" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*sitting* by the fireplace in winter).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a preference for sitting on the floor.

  She has a preference for sitting on the floor.

  • "For *sitting* on the floor" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a preference for *sitting* on the floor).

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 sit at the front of the theater for a better view.

They hope to sit together during the conference.

He wants to sit on the patio and enjoy the sunshine.

We decided to sit at the rooftop bar for drinks.

They agreed to sit at the outdoor table for dinner.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys sitting in the park and watching people.

They recommend taking breaks from sitting to stretch and move around.

I dislike sitting in uncomfortable chairs for long periods.

He avoids sitting in traffic by taking alternate routes.

Can you imagine yourself sitting on a tropical beach?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to sit on the balcony and enjoy the view. She likes sitting on the balcony and enjoying the view.

We started to sit in meditation every morning. We started sitting in meditation every morning.

He began to sit for longer periods to improve his posture. He began sitting for longer periods to improve his posture.