To Send vs Sending 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 send (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to send an email to my colleague.

Sending (Gerund)

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

Example

Sending emails is a common form of communication.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To send (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To send a message is quick and easy.

  To send a message is quick and easy.

  • "*To send* a message" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (quick and easy).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to send the document.

  She wants me to send the document.

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

  I need a stamp to send the letter.

  I need a stamp to send the letter.

  • "*To send* the letter" modifies the noun "stamp."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a stamp *to send* the letter).

Sending (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Sending a thank-you note is a thoughtful gesture.

  Sending a thank-you note is a thoughtful gesture.

  • "*Sending* a thank-you note" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a thoughtful gesture).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy sending postcards to my friends.

  I enjoy sending postcards to my friends.

  • "*Sending* postcards to my friends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*sending* postcards to my friends).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of sending handwritten letters.

  She has a habit of sending handwritten letters.

  • "Of *sending* handwritten letters" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *sending* handwritten letters).

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 send the package tomorrow.

They hope to send the invitation by the end of the day.

He wants to send a text message to his friend.

We decided to send a gift to congratulate them.

They agreed to send flowers for the occasion.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys sending messages to her loved ones.

They recommend sending a follow-up email after an interview.

I dislike the idea of sending mass emails.

He avoids sending sensitive information through email.

Can you imagine yourself sending a letter by carrier pigeon?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to send text messages. She likes sending text messages.

We started to send weekly newsletters. We started sending weekly newsletters.

He began to send invitations for the event. He began sending invitations for the event.