To Travel vs Traveling 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 travel (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to travel the world and explore different cultures.

Traveling (Gerund)

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

Example

Traveling broadens your horizons and exposes you to new experiences.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To travel (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To travel is a dream for many people.

  To travel is a dream for many people.

  • "*To travel*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a dream for many people).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to travel with her to Europe.

  She wants me to travel with her to Europe.

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

  I need a sturdy backpack to travel comfortably.

  I need a sturdy backpack to travel comfortably.

  • "*To travel* comfortably" modifies the noun "backpack."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a sturdy backpack *to travel* comfortably).

Traveling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Traveling is an enriching experience.

  Traveling is an enriching experience.

  • "*Traveling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an enriching experience).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy traveling to different countries.

  I enjoy traveling to different countries.

  • "*Traveling* to different countries" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*traveling* to different countries).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for traveling and exploring new places.

  She has a passion for traveling and exploring new places.

  • "For *traveling* and exploring new places" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *traveling* and exploring new places).

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

They plan to travel to Asia next year.

I hope to travel to all seven continents in my lifetime.

He wants to travel to exotic destinations.

We decided to travel by train instead of flying.

They agreed to travel together and share the expenses.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys traveling solo and discovering hidden gems.

They recommend traveling during off-peak seasons for better deals.

I dislike the idea of traveling alone to unfamiliar places.

She avoids traveling to crowded tourist destinations.

Can you imagine yourself traveling to outer space?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to travel to remote locations. She likes traveling to remote locations.

We started to travel as a way to escape our daily routine. We started traveling as a way to escape our daily routine.

He began to travel after he retired. He began traveling after he retired.