To Sub vs Subbing 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 sub (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to sub for the injured player in the game.

Subbing (Gerund)

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

Example

Subbing is a challenging but rewarding experience.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To sub (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To sub is a crucial role in basketball games.

  To sub is a crucial role in basketball games.

  • "*To sub*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a crucial role in basketball games).
• 2. Object

  The coach wants me to sub for the point guard.

  The coach wants me to sub for the point guard.

  • "Me *to sub* for the point guard" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (The coach) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to sub* for the point guard).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a player to sub in the second half.

  We need a player to sub in the second half.

  • "*To sub* in the second half" modifies the noun "player."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a player *to sub* in the second half).

Subbing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Subbing requires good communication skills.

  Subbing requires good communication skills.

  • "*Subbing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (good communication skills).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy subbing for the varsity team.

  I enjoy subbing for the varsity team.

  • "*Subbing* for the varsity team" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*subbing* for the varsity team).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for subbing in different positions.

  She has a talent for subbing in different positions.

  • "For *subbing* in different positions" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *subbing* in different positions).

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 sub for the injured player tomorrow.

They hope to sub in the championship game.

He wants to sub for the starting lineup.

We decided to sub at the end of the quarter.

They agreed to sub together during the game.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys subbing in high-pressure situations.

They recommend subbing regularly to gain experience.

I dislike the idea of subbing for an injured player.

He avoids subbing in intense games.

Can you imagine yourself subbing in a professional basketball game?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to sub for the starting five. She likes subbing for the starting five.

We started to sub in middle school. We started subbing in middle school.

He began to sub for the injured players. He began subbing for the injured players.