To Change Tires vs Changing tires 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 change tires (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to change tires on my car before the trip.

Changing tires (Gerund)

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

Example

Changing tires can be a challenging task.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To change tires (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To change tires requires some basic tools and knowledge.

  To change tires requires some basic tools and knowledge.

  • "*To change tires*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (some basic tools and knowledge).
• 2. Object

  He asked me to change tires for him.

  He asked me to change tires for him.

  • "Me *to change tires* for him" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (He) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to change tires* for him).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  She needs a jack to change tires on her car.

  She needs a jack to change tires on her car.

  • "*To change tires* on her car" modifies the noun "jack."
  • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a jack *to change tires* on her car).

Changing tires (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Changing tires requires some physical strength and coordination.

  Changing tires requires some physical strength and coordination.

  • "*Changing tires*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (some physical strength and coordination).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy changing tires as a hobby.

  I enjoy changing tires as a hobby.

  • "*Changing tires* as a hobby" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*changing tires* as a hobby).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a knack for changing tires quickly.

  She has a knack for changing tires quickly.

  • "For *changing tires* quickly" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *changing tires* quickly).

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
• want
• decide
• agree
• attempt

Example

They plan to change tires before the long drive.

I want to change tires for better traction on wet roads.

We decided to change tires to improve fuel efficiency.

They agreed to change tires at the nearest service station.

He attempted to change tires himself but ended up calling for help.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• mind
• imagine

Example

They recommend regular changing tires for optimal performance.

He avoids changing tires in extreme weather conditions.

We are considering changing tires for better grip on icy roads.

Do you mind changing tires for me? I'm not confident doing it myself.

Can you imagine yourself changing tires in the middle of nowhere?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to change tires on her own. She likes changing tires on her own.

We started to change tires professionally. We started changing tires professionally.

He began to change tires as a part-time job. He began changing tires as a part-time job.