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To Teach vs Teaching 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 teach (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to teach English as a second language.

Teaching (Gerund)

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

Example

Teaching requires patience and dedication.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To teach (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To teach is a rewarding profession.

    To teach is a rewarding profession.

    • "*To teach*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a rewarding profession).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to teach her how to play the piano.

    She wants me to teach her how to play the piano.

    • "Me *to teach* her how to play the piano" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to teach* her how to play the piano).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a whiteboard to teach my students.

    I need a whiteboard to teach my students.

    • "*To teach* my students" modifies the noun "whiteboard."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a whiteboard *to teach* my students).

Teaching (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Teaching is a noble profession.

    Teaching is a noble profession.

    • "*Teaching*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a noble profession).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy teaching students from different cultural backgrounds.

    I enjoy teaching students from different cultural backgrounds.

    • "*Teaching* students from different cultural backgrounds" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*teaching* students from different cultural backgrounds).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    He has a passion for teaching mathematics.

    He has a passion for teaching mathematics.

    • "For *teaching* mathematics" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *teaching* mathematics).

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

They decided to teach at the university after graduation.

We plan to teach online courses next semester.

He hopes to teach in a foreign country someday.

The school agreed to teach a new language curriculum.

She wants to teach music lessons to children.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys teaching English to non-native speakers.

They recommend teaching basic life skills in schools.

I avoid teaching subjects that I am not familiar with.

He is considering a career in teaching.

Can you imagine yourself teaching a classroom full of students?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to teach online courses. She likes teaching online courses.

We started to teach at a local community center. We started teaching at a local community center.

He began to teach piano lessons. He began teaching piano lessons.

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