To Survive vs Surviving 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 survive (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to survive in this challenging situation.

Surviving (Gerund)

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

Example

Surviving in the wild requires great skills.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To survive (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To survive is our primary instinct.

  To survive is our primary instinct.

  • "*To survive*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (our primary instinct).
• 2. Object

  She wants us to survive this ordeal.

  She wants us to survive this ordeal.

  • "Us *to survive* this ordeal" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (us *to survive* this ordeal).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a shelter to survive the harsh weather.

  We need a shelter to survive the harsh weather.

  • "*To survive* the harsh weather" modifies the noun "shelter."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a shelter *to survive* the harsh weather).

Surviving (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Surviving is a challenge in itself.

  Surviving is a challenge in itself.

  • "*Surviving*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a challenge in itself).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy surviving in nature.

  I enjoy surviving in nature.

  • "*Surviving* in nature" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*surviving* in nature).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a passion for surviving in extreme conditions.

  They have a passion for surviving in extreme conditions.

  • "For *surviving* in extreme conditions" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a passion for *surviving* in extreme conditions).

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

• hope
• want
• choose
• determine
• attempt

Example

I hope to survive this difficult time.

They want to survive in the wilderness.

He chose to survive on his own terms.

We determined to survive against all odds.

She attempted to survive the extreme conditions.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine
• resist

Example

Experts recommend surviving in the wilderness to test your skills.

He avoids surviving in dangerous situations.

I am considering surviving off the grid.

Can you imagine surviving on a deserted island?

She resisted surviving with limited resources.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to survive challenges. I like surviving challenges.

We started to survive in the wilderness. We started surviving in the wilderness.

He began to survive on his own. He began surviving on his own.