To Settle vs Settling 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 settle (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to settle down in a peaceful village.

Settling (Gerund)

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

Example

Settling into a new place can be challenging at first.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To settle (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To settle is a big decision that requires careful consideration.

  To settle is a big decision that requires careful consideration.

  • "*To settle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a big decision that requires careful consideration).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to settle in the new city.

  She wants me to settle in the new city.

  • "Me *to settle* in the new city" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to settle* in the new city).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a comfortable house to settle into.

  I need a comfortable house to settle into.

  • "*To settle* into" modifies the noun "house."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a comfortable house *to settle* into).

Settling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Settling into a routine takes time and effort.

  Settling into a routine takes time and effort.

  • "*Settling* into a routine" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (takes) + noun phrase (time and effort).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy settling into a cozy home.

  I enjoy settling into a cozy home.

  • "*Settling* into a cozy home" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*settling* into a cozy home).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a knack for settling into new environments quickly.

  She has a knack for settling into new environments quickly.

  • "For *settling* into new environments quickly" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *settling* into new environments quickly).

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 settle in a different country next year.

He hopes to settle in his dream city after retirement.

We want to settle in a peaceful neighborhood.

She decided to settle in a small town for a simpler life.

They agreed to settle in a rural area away from the city.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy settling into different cultures when they travel.

Experts recommend settling into a new routine after a major life change.

He dislikes the process of settling into a new job.

I avoid settling into unhealthy habits.

Can you imagine yourself settling into a remote mountain village?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to settle in quiet towns. She likes settling into quiet towns.

They started to settle in a different state. They started settling in a different state.

He began to settle into his new job. He began settling into his new job.