To Stargaze vs Stargazing 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 stargaze (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to stargaze tonight to see the meteor shower.

Stargazing (Gerund)

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

Example

Stargazing can be a peaceful and awe-inspiring experience.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To stargaze (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To stargaze is a favorite pastime for many people.

  To stargaze is a favorite pastime for many people.

  • "*To stargaze*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a favorite pastime for many people).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to stargaze with her.

  She wants me to stargaze with her.

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

  I need a telescope to stargaze effectively.

  I need a telescope to stargaze effectively.

  • "*To stargaze* effectively" modifies the noun "telescope."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a telescope *to stargaze* effectively).

Stargazing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Stargazing requires patience and a clear sky.

  Stargazing requires patience and a clear sky.

  • "*Stargazing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (patience and a clear sky).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy stargazing on warm summer nights.

  I enjoy stargazing on warm summer nights.

  • "*Stargazing* on warm summer nights" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*stargazing* on warm summer nights).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a passion for stargazing.

  He has a passion for stargazing.

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

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 stargaze in the mountains next weekend.

He hopes to stargaze during the meteor shower.

We want to stargaze at the observatory.

She decided to stargaze in the backyard tonight.

They agreed to stargaze together on the beach.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys stargazing in the countryside.

Experts recommend regular stargazing for a better understanding of the universe.

I dislike the idea of stargazing in heavily light-polluted areas.

He avoids stargazing during cloudy nights.

Can you imagine yourself stargazing under a sky full of stars?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to stargaze in remote locations. She likes stargazing in remote locations.

We started to stargaze after learning about astronomy. We started stargazing after learning about astronomy.

He began to stargaze as a hobby. He began stargazing as a hobby.