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 and admire the beauty of the night sky.

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 is a fascinating hobby for astronomy enthusiasts.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To stargaze (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To stargaze is a peaceful activity that helps me relax.

  To stargaze is a peaceful activity that helps me relax.

  • "*To stargaze*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a peaceful activity that helps me relax).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to stargaze with her this weekend.

  She wants me to stargaze with her this weekend.

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

  I need a telescope to stargaze properly.

  I need a telescope to stargaze properly.

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

Stargazing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Stargazing requires patience and a love for the night sky.

  Stargazing requires patience and a love for the night sky.

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

  I enjoy stargazing on clear summer nights.

  I enjoy stargazing on clear summer nights.

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

He plans to stargaze in the countryside next month.

They hope to stargaze during their camping trip.

She wants to stargaze under a clear sky.

We decided to stargaze on the rooftop tonight.

They agreed to stargaze together at the observatory.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys stargazing with a cup of hot chocolate.

They recommend regular stargazing for a deeper understanding of the universe.

I dislike the idea of stargazing in polluted areas.

He avoids stargazing during cloudy nights.

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

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to stargaze on a hilltop. She likes stargazing on a hilltop.

We started to stargaze as a family activity. We started stargazing as a family activity.

He began to stargaze after reading an astronomy book. He began stargazing after reading an astronomy book.