To Sunbathe vs Sunbathing 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 sunbathe (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to sunbathe on the beach to get a tan.

Sunbathing (Gerund)

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

Example

Sunbathing is a great way to relax and soak up some vitamin D.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To sunbathe (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To sunbathe is a popular activity during summer.

  To sunbathe is a popular activity during summer.

  • "*To sunbathe*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a popular activity during summer).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to sunbathe with her at the pool.

  She wants me to sunbathe with her at the pool.

  • "Me *to sunbathe* with her at the pool" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to sunbathe* with her at the pool).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a comfortable chair to sunbathe in.

  I need a comfortable chair to sunbathe in.

  • "*To sunbathe* in" modifies the noun "chair."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a comfortable chair *to sunbathe* in).

Sunbathing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Sunbathing in the morning is refreshing.

  Sunbathing in the morning is refreshing.

  • "*Sunbathing* in the morning" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (refreshing).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy sunbathing on the balcony.

  I enjoy sunbathing on the balcony.

  • "*Sunbathing* on the balcony" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*sunbathing* on the balcony).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for sunbathing at the beach.

  She has a passion for sunbathing at the beach.

  • "For *sunbathing* at the beach" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *sunbathing* at the beach).

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

They plan to sunbathe at the beach tomorrow.

I hope to sunbathe on my vacation.

He wants to sunbathe by the poolside.

We decided to sunbathe at the rooftop lounge.

They agreed to sunbathe together on the cruise ship.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys sunbathing in the park on sunny days.

They recommend regular sunbathing for a healthy glow.

I dislike the idea of sunbathing for hours.

She avoids sunbathing during peak hours.

Can you imagine yourself sunbathing on a tropical island?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to sunbathe on the beach. I like sunbathing on the beach.

They started to sunbathe regularly. They started sunbathing regularly.

She began to sunbathe in her backyard. She began sunbathing in her backyard.