To Spend vs Spending 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 spend (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to spend my summer vacation traveling.

Spending (Gerund)

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

Example

Spending time with family is priceless.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To spend (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To spend time with loved ones is important.

  To spend time with loved ones is important.

  • "*To spend* time with loved ones" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (time with loved ones).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to spend money on a new car.

  She wants me to spend money on a new car.

  • "Me *to spend* money on a new car" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to spend* money on a new car).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a comfortable bed to spend the night.

  I need a comfortable bed to spend the night.

  • "*To spend* the night" modifies the noun "bed."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a comfortable bed *to spend* the night).

Spending (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Spending money wisely is important for financial stability.

  Spending money wisely is important for financial stability.

  • "*Spending* money wisely" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (money wisely).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy spending my weekends outdoors.

  I enjoy spending my weekends outdoors.

  • "*Spending* my weekends outdoors" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*spending* my weekends outdoors).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for spending time in nature.

  She has a passion for spending time in nature.

  • "For *spending* time in nature" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *spending* time in nature).

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 spend her weekend at the beach.

They hope to spend their vacation in Europe.

He wants to spend more time with his family.

We decided to spend our savings on a new house.

They agreed to spend their holidays in the mountains.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys spending her free time reading.

They recommend spending quality time with loved ones.

I dislike the idea of spending money on unnecessary things.

He avoids spending too much time on social media.

Can you imagine yourself spending a year traveling around the world?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to spend her weekends relaxing at home. She likes spending her weekends relaxing at home.

We started to spend more time together as a family. We started spending more time together as a family.

He began to spend his evenings learning a new language. He began spending his evenings learning a new language.