To Start vs Starting 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 start (Infinitive)

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

Example

We started to swim competitively.

Starting (Gerund)

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

Example

Starting is the first step towards achieving your swimming goals.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To start (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To start is a decision that requires careful consideration.

  To start is a decision that requires careful consideration.

  • "*To start*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a decision that requires careful consideration).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to start swimming lessons.

  She wants me to start swimming lessons.

  • "Me *to start* swimming lessons" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to start* swimming lessons).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a pool to start practicing my swimming skills.

  I need a pool to start practicing my swimming skills.

  • "*To start* practicing my swimming skills" modifies the noun "pool."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a pool *to start* practicing my swimming skills).

Starting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Starting early in the morning is a great way to have a productive day.

  Starting early in the morning is a great way to have a productive day.

  • "*Starting* early in the morning" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to have a productive day).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy starting my day with a swim.

  I enjoy starting my day with a swim.

  • "*Starting* my day with a swim" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*starting* my day with a swim).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for starting new swimming projects.

  She has a passion for starting new swimming projects.

  • "For *starting* new swimming projects" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *starting* new swimming projects).

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 start swimming in the lake tomorrow.

They hope to start swimming with dolphins during their vacation.

He wants to start swimming in the open water.

We decided to start swimming at the beach this weekend.

They agreed to start swimming lessons together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys starting her swimming routine every morning.

They recommend regular starting for better progress in swimming.

I dislike the idea of starting with difficult swimming techniques.

He avoids starting with advanced swimming strokes.

Can you imagine yourself starting a swimming career at an older age?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin

Example

She likes to start swimming in the ocean. She likes starting her swim in the ocean.

He began to start swimming every morning. He began starting his swim every morning.