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 in the front row to have a better view of the stage.

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 hours can lead to back pain.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To sit (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To sit quietly is important during a meditation session.

  To sit quietly is important during a meditation session.

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

  She wants me to sit beside her during the movie.

  She wants me to sit beside her during the movie.

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

  I need a comfortable chair to sit in while I work.

  I need a comfortable chair to sit in while I work.

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

Sitting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Sitting is a common posture when using a computer.

  Sitting is a common posture when using a computer.

  • "*Sitting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common posture when using a computer).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy sitting on the beach and watching the sunset.

  I enjoy sitting on the beach and watching the sunset.

  • "*Sitting* on the beach and watching the sunset" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*sitting* on the beach and watching the sunset).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a preference for sitting on a cushioned chair.

  She has a preference for sitting on a cushioned chair.

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

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 bus tomorrow.

They hope to sit together at the conference.

He wants to sit next to his friend during the flight.

We decided to sit at the outdoor patio for dinner.

They agreed to sit in the back row of the theater.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys sitting in the park and reading a book.

They recommend taking breaks from sitting for better posture.

I dislike the idea of sitting in uncomfortable chairs.

He avoids sitting for long periods of time.

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 a rocking chair. She likes sitting on a rocking chair.

We started to sit in the front row at concerts. We started sitting in the front row at concerts.

He began to sit with better posture. He began sitting with better posture.