To Tie vs Tying 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 tie (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to tie my shoelaces before going for a run.

Tying (Gerund)

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

Example

Tying knots is an essential skill for camping.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To tie (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To tie knots requires practice and patience.

  To tie knots requires practice and patience.

  • "*To tie* knots" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (practice and patience).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to tie her hair in a ponytail.

  She wants me to tie her hair in a ponytail.

  • "Me *to tie* her hair in a ponytail" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to tie* her hair in a ponytail).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a long string to tie a bow around the gift.

  I need a long string to tie a bow around the gift.

  • "*To tie* a bow around the gift" modifies the noun "string."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a long string *to tie* a bow around the gift).

Tying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Tying shoelaces is a basic task that children learn.

  Tying shoelaces is a basic task that children learn.

  • "*Tying* shoelaces" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a basic task that children learn).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy tying decorative bows on gifts.

  I enjoy tying decorative bows on gifts.

  • "*Tying* decorative bows on gifts" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*tying* decorative bows on gifts).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for tying intricate knots.

  She has a talent for tying intricate knots.

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

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

He plans to tie a knot in the rope to secure it.

I hope to tie the perfect bow on the present.

They want to tie their shoes tightly before the race.

We decided to tie the knot ourselves.

They agreed to tie a ribbon around the box.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys tying fishing knots for his hobby.

Experts recommend practicing tying different types of knots.

I dislike the task of tying shoelaces every morning.

She avoids tying complicated knots by using clips.

Can you imagine yourself tying a rope ladder for an adventure?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to tie colorful ribbons on presents. She likes tying colorful ribbons on presents.

We started to tie our own neckties. We started tying our own neckties.

He began to tie his shoelaces without any assistance. He began tying his shoelaces without any assistance.