To Steal vs Stealing 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 steal (Infinitive)

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

Example

I promise to steal the show with my performance.

Stealing (Gerund)

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

Example

Stealing is a serious offense and can lead to imprisonment.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To steal (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To steal is a crime that is punishable by law.

  To steal is a crime that is punishable by law.

  • "*To steal*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a crime that is punishable by law).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to steal her competitor's ideas.

  She wants me to steal her competitor's ideas.

  • "Me *to steal* her competitor's ideas" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to steal* her competitor's ideas).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a fast car to steal away quickly.

  He needs a fast car to steal away quickly.

  • "*To steal* away quickly" modifies the noun "car."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a fast car *to steal* away quickly).

Stealing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Stealing is considered a breach of trust.

  Stealing is considered a breach of trust.

  • "*Stealing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (considered a breach of trust).
• 2. Object

  They enjoy stealing small trinkets from tourist shops.

  They enjoy stealing small trinkets from tourist shops.

  • "*Stealing* small trinkets from tourist shops" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (They) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*stealing* small trinkets from tourist shops).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He was caught in the act of stealing from the store.

  He was caught in the act of stealing from the store.

  • "In the act of *stealing* from the store" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (was caught) + preposition (in the act of) + gerund (*stealing* from the store).

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
• refuse
• pretend
• choose
• demand

Example

They plan to steal the diamond from the museum tonight.

She refused to steal the confidential information.

He pretended to steal her heart for a prank.

We choose not to steal the spotlight from our teammates.

The robber demanded to steal all the cash from the register.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• imagine

Example

She avoids stealing because it goes against her principles.

They consider stealing a grave offense.

Experts recommend discussing the consequences of stealing with children.

I don't mind stealing a few minutes of relaxation for myself.

Can you imagine stealing someone else's identity?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to steal a kiss from you. I would like stealing your heart.

He started to steal small items from stores. He started stealing small items from stores.

She began to steal money from her parents. She began stealing money from her parents.