To Skateboard vs Skateboarding 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 skateboard (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to skateboard in the park with my friends.

Skateboarding (Gerund)

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

Example

Skateboarding is an exciting sport that requires skill and practice.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To skateboard (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To skateboard requires balance and coordination.

  To skateboard requires balance and coordination.

  • "*To skateboard*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (balance and coordination).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to skateboard with her.

  She wants me to skateboard with her.

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

  I need a new skateboard to skateboard at the skate park.

  I need a new skateboard to skateboard at the skate park.

  • "*To skateboard* at the skate park" modifies the noun "skateboard."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a new skateboard *to skateboard* at the skate park).

Skateboarding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Skateboarding can be dangerous if not done properly.

  Skateboarding can be dangerous if not done properly.

  • "*Skateboarding*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective phrase (dangerous if not done properly).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy skateboarding in the streets.

  I enjoy skateboarding in the streets.

  • "*Skateboarding* in the streets" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*skateboarding* in the streets).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a passion for skateboarding.

  He has a passion for skateboarding.

  • "For *skateboarding*" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *skateboarding*).

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

He plans to skateboard at the skatepark tomorrow.

They hope to skateboard in the competition next month.

She wants to skateboard on the halfpipe.

We decided to skateboard at the new skate park.

They agreed to skateboard together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys skateboarding at the skatepark every weekend.

They recommend wearing protective gear while skateboarding.

I dislike the idea of skateboarding in busy areas.

He avoids skateboarding on rough surfaces.

Can you imagine yourself skateboarding down a steep hill?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to skateboard in the skatepark. She likes skateboarding in the skatepark.

We started to skateboard professionally. We started skateboarding professionally.

He began to skateboard when he was five years old. He began skateboarding when he was five years old.