To Trace vs Tracing 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 trace (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to trace the origins of this ancient artifact.

Tracing (Gerund)

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

Example

Tracing helps improve hand-eye coordination.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To trace (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To trace is a challenging task.

  To trace is a challenging task.

  • "*To trace*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (a challenging task).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to trace the missing person's whereabouts.

  She wants me to trace the missing person's whereabouts.

  • "Me *to trace* the missing person's whereabouts" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to trace* the missing person's whereabouts).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a magnifying glass to trace the fine details.

  I need a magnifying glass to trace the fine details.

  • "*To trace* the fine details" modifies the noun "magnifying glass."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a magnifying glass *to trace* the fine details).

Tracing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Tracing is a useful technique for artists.

  Tracing is a useful technique for artists.

  • "*Tracing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (a useful technique for artists).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy tracing intricate patterns.

  I enjoy tracing intricate patterns.

  • "*Tracing* intricate patterns" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*tracing* intricate patterns).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for tracing portraits.

  She has a talent for tracing portraits.

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

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

• decide
• hope
• attempt
• wish
• plan

Example

We decided to trace the history of our family.

They hope to trace the origins of this ancient civilization.

He attempted to trace the source of the problem.

I wish to trace my family tree back to the 18th century.

She plans to trace the evolution of this species.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

She enjoys tracing landscapes in her free time.

They recommend regular tracing exercises for artists.

I avoid tracing copyrighted images without permission.

Have you considered tracing the outline before coloring?

Can you imagine yourself tracing ancient cave paintings?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to trace my hand on paper. I like tracing my hand on paper.

We started to trace our family history. We started tracing our family history.

He began to trace the map to find the treasure. He began tracing the map to find the treasure.