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To Tell vs Telling 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 tell (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to tell you a secret.

Telling (Gerund)

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

Example

Telling stories is her passion.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To tell (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To tell the truth, I don't believe him.

    To tell the truth, I don't believe him.

    • "*To tell* the truth" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the truth).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to tell her the story.

    She wants me to tell her the story.

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

    He needs a microphone to tell his jokes.

    He needs a microphone to tell his jokes.

    • "*To tell* his jokes" modifies the noun "microphone."
    • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a microphone *to tell* his jokes).

Telling (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Telling lies is not acceptable.

    Telling lies is not acceptable.

    • "*Telling* lies" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not acceptable).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy telling jokes to my friends.

    I enjoy telling jokes to my friends.

    • "*Telling* jokes to my friends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*telling* jokes to my friends).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a talent for telling stories.

    She has a talent for telling stories.

    • "For *telling* stories" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *telling* stories).

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 tell him the news tomorrow.

They hope to tell their parents about their engagement soon.

He wants to tell everyone the good news.

We decided to tell them the truth.

They agreed to tell the police everything they knew.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys telling anecdotes at parties.

They recommend practicing telling stories for better public speaking skills.

I dislike the idea of telling lies to cover up mistakes.

He avoids telling secrets to people he doesn't trust.

Can you imagine yourself telling a crowd of people your deepest fears?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to tell funny stories. She likes telling funny stories.

We started to tell each other our life stories. We started telling each other our life stories.

He began to tell the truth no matter what. He began telling the truth no matter what.

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