To Trespass vs Trespassing 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 trespass (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to trespass on private property.

Trespassing (Gerund)

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

Example

Trespassing is a violation of personal boundaries.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To trespass (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To trespass is illegal and can result in serious consequences.

  To trespass is illegal and can result in serious consequences.

  • "*To trespass*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (illegal and can result in serious consequences).
• 2. Object

  She warned him not to trespass on her land.

  She warned him not to trespass on her land.

  • "Him *not to trespass* on her land" is the object of the verb "warned."
  • Noun (She) + verb (warned) + noun phrase (him *not to trespass* on her land).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a key to trespass into the building.

  He needs a key to trespass into the building.

  • "*To trespass* into the building" modifies the noun "key."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a key *to trespass* into the building).

Trespassing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Trespassing can lead to legal trouble.

  Trespassing can lead to legal trouble.

  • "*Trespassing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead to) + noun phrase (legal trouble).
• 2. Object

  He was caught trespassing on private property.

  He was caught trespassing on private property.

  • "*Trespassing* on private property" is the object of the verb "was caught."
  • Noun (He) + verb (was caught) + gerund (*trespassing* on private property).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They were arrested for trespassing in the park.

  They were arrested for trespassing in the park.

  • "For *trespassing* in the park" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (were arrested) + preposition (for) + gerund (*trespassing* in the park).

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
• plan
• attempt
• pretend
• refuse

Example

They decided to trespass into the abandoned house.

She plans to trespass on their property tonight.

He attempted to trespass into the restricted area.

We pretended to trespass on the forbidden grounds.

They refused to trespass on the neighbor's garden.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• deny

Example

She avoids trespassing on others' land.

They recommend trespassing laws to protect property owners.

I am considering trespassing to retrieve my lost item.

Do you mind me trespassing on your property?

He denied trespassing on the construction site.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She doesn't like to trespass on private property. She doesn't like trespassing on private property.

We started to trespass as a form of protest. We started trespassing as a form of protest.

He began to trespass after being threatened. He began trespassing after being threatened.