To Throw vs Throwing 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 throw (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to throw the ball to my teammate.

Throwing (Gerund)

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

Example

Throwing requires accuracy and strength.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To throw (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To throw is an essential skill in baseball.

  To throw is an essential skill in baseball.

  • "*To throw*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential skill in baseball).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to throw the frisbee.

  She wants me to throw the frisbee.

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

  I need a strong arm to throw long distances.

  I need a strong arm to throw long distances.

  • "*To throw* long distances" modifies the noun "arm."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong arm *to throw* long distances).

Throwing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Throwing is a basic human instinct.

  Throwing is a basic human instinct.

  • "*Throwing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a basic human instinct).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy throwing darts at the target.

  I enjoy throwing darts at the target.

  • "*Throwing* darts at the target" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*throwing* darts at the target).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for throwing accurately.

  She has a talent for throwing accurately.

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

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

She plans to throw a surprise party for her friend.

They hope to throw a successful event.

He wants to throw a touchdown pass.

We decided to throw a farewell party for our colleague.

They agreed to throw a fundraising event together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys throwing a frisbee at the park.

They recommend practicing throwing techniques regularly.

I dislike the idea of throwing a tantrum in public.

He avoids throwing away food that can still be eaten.

Can you imagine yourself throwing a perfect spiral?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to throw the ball with precision. She likes throwing the ball with precision.

We started to throw javelin in high school. We started throwing javelin in high school.

He began to throw punches in self-defense classes. He began throwing punches in self-defense classes.