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To Submit vs Submitting Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To submit (Infinitive)

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

Example

I agree to submit my application before the deadline.

Submitting (Gerund)

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

Example

Submitting your work on time is crucial for success.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To submit (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To submit is a necessary step in the application process.

    To submit is a necessary step in the application process.

    • "*To submit*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a necessary step in the application process).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to submit the report by tomorrow.

    She wants me to submit the report by tomorrow.

    • "Me *to submit* the report by tomorrow" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to submit* the report by tomorrow).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a pen to submit the form.

    I need a pen to submit the form.

    • "*To submit* the form" modifies the noun "pen."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a pen *to submit* the form).

Submitting (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Submitting assignments on time is important for good grades.

    Submitting assignments on time is important for good grades.

    • "*Submitting* assignments on time" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important for good grades).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy submitting my ideas to the team.

    I enjoy submitting my ideas to the team.

    • "*Submitting* my ideas to the team" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*submitting* my ideas to the team).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a fear of submitting her work to the professor.

    She has a fear of submitting her work to the professor.

    • "Of *submitting* her work to the professor" is the object of the preposition "of."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *submitting* her work to the professor).

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

Example

She plans to submit her proposal next week.

They hope to submit their research findings soon.

He wants to submit his artwork for the competition.

We decided to submit our application early.

They agreed to submit their project by Friday.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys submitting her photos for competitions.

They recommend submitting your application early.

I dislike the idea of submitting my personal information online.

He avoids submitting incomplete work.

Can you imagine yourself submitting your thesis to the committee?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to submit her poems for publication. She likes submitting her poems for publication.

We started to submit our proposals last month. We started submitting our proposals last month.

He began to submit his articles to different journals. He began submitting his articles to different journals.

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