To Struggle vs Struggling 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 struggle (Infinitive)

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

Example

I hope to struggle less in my new job.

Struggling (Gerund)

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

Example

Struggling with the concept can be frustrating.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To struggle (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To struggle is a natural part of the learning process.

  To struggle is a natural part of the learning process.

  • "*To struggle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural part of the learning process).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to struggle with this math problem.

  She wants me to struggle with this math problem.

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

  I need a challenge to struggle against.

  I need a challenge to struggle against.

  • "*To struggle* against" modifies the noun "challenge."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a challenge *to struggle* against).

Struggling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Struggling builds resilience and perseverance.

  Struggling builds resilience and perseverance.

  • "*Struggling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (builds) + noun phrase (resilience and perseverance).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy struggling to solve challenging puzzles.

  I enjoy struggling to solve challenging puzzles.

  • "*Struggling* to solve challenging puzzles" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*struggling* to solve challenging puzzles).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of struggling in public.

  She has a fear of struggling in public.

  • "Of *struggling* in public" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *struggling* in public).

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

• decide
• learn
• want
• refuse
• attempt

Example

He decided to struggle through the difficult task.

They learned to struggle in order to succeed.

We want to struggle less and achieve more.

She refused to struggle with her decision.

He attempted to struggle through the obstacle course.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• mind
• consider
• recommend
• imagine

Example

He avoids struggling with difficult conversations.

Do you mind struggling with me to carry this heavy box?

They are considering struggling for a better future.

I recommend struggling through the challenges.

Can you imagine yourself struggling in that situation?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• try
• continue
• begin

Example

I will try to struggle less and find a solution. I will try struggling less and find a solution.

They continue to struggle with their studies. They continue struggling with their studies.

He began to struggle with his health issues. He began struggling with his health issues.