To Socialise vs Socialising 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 socialise (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to socialise with my friends at the party.

Socialising (Gerund)

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

Example

Socialising is a great way to meet new people.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To socialise (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To socialise is important for building strong relationships.

  To socialise is important for building strong relationships.

  • "*To socialise*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for building strong relationships).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to socialise with her colleagues.

  She wants me to socialise with her colleagues.

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

  I need a social event to socialise with new people.

  I need a social event to socialise with new people.

  • "*To socialise* with new people" modifies the noun "social event."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a social event *to socialise* with new people).

Socialising (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Socialising helps to develop communication skills.

  Socialising helps to develop communication skills.

  • "*Socialising*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (helps) + noun phrase (to develop communication skills).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy socialising with like-minded individuals.

  I enjoy socialising with like-minded individuals.

  • "*Socialising* with like-minded individuals" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*socialising* with like-minded individuals).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for socialising in different cultures.

  She has a passion for socialising in different cultures.

  • "For *socialising* in different cultures" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *socialising* in different cultures).

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 socialise at the networking event tomorrow.

They hope to socialise with influential people during the conference.

He wants to socialise in a more relaxed environment.

We decided to socialise at the local cafe this weekend.

They agreed to socialise together at the party.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys socialising at social events every weekend.

They recommend regular socialising for better networking opportunities.

I dislike the idea of socialising with strangers.

He avoids socialising in large groups.

Can you imagine yourself socialising at a networking event?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to socialise at parties. She likes socialising at parties.

We started to socialise regularly. We started socialising regularly.

He began to socialise at social clubs. He began socialising at social clubs.