To Select vs Selecting 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 select (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to select the best candidate for the job.

Selecting (Gerund)

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

Example

Selecting the right ingredients is crucial for a delicious meal.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To select (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To select is a crucial step in the decision-making process.

  To select is a crucial step in the decision-making process.

  • "*To select*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a crucial step in the decision-making process).
• 2. Object

  She asked me to select a gift for her friend.

  She asked me to select a gift for her friend.

  • "Me *to select* a gift for her friend" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to select* a gift for her friend).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a reliable tool to select the right option.

  We need a reliable tool to select the right option.

  • "*To select* the right option" modifies the noun "tool."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reliable tool *to select* the right option).

Selecting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Selecting the right candidate requires careful consideration.

  Selecting the right candidate requires careful consideration.

  • "*Selecting* the right candidate" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful consideration).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy selecting books for my personal library.

  I enjoy selecting books for my personal library.

  • "*Selecting* books for my personal library" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*selecting* books for my personal library).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for selecting the perfect gift.

  She has a talent for selecting the perfect gift.

  • "For *selecting* the perfect gift" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *selecting* the perfect gift).

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

They plan to select the winners next week.

I hope to select the perfect dress for the occasion.

He wants to select the menu for the party.

We decided to select the new team captain.

They agreed to select a representative for the committee.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys selecting unique artwork for his collection.

They recommend selecting a reputable brand for quality products.

I dislike the process of selecting a new car.

She avoids selecting items with high shipping costs.

Can you imagine yourself selecting the perfect wedding dress?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to select my own ingredients for cooking. I like selecting my own ingredients for cooking.

They started to select a new team leader. They started selecting a new team leader.

He began to select his outfit for the event. He began selecting his outfit for the event.