To Venture vs Venturing 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 venture (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to venture into new business opportunities.

Venturing (Gerund)

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

Example

Venturing into unknown territories can be exciting.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To venture (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To venture is a risky endeavor.

  To venture is a risky endeavor.

  • "*To venture*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a risky endeavor).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to venture with her in the startup.

  She wants me to venture with her in the startup.

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

  I need capital to venture into the market.

  I need capital to venture into the market.

  • "*To venture* into the market" modifies the noun "capital."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (capital *to venture* into the market).

Venturing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Venturing requires courage and determination.

  Venturing requires courage and determination.

  • "*Venturing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (courage and determination).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy venturing into different cultures.

  I enjoy venturing into different cultures.

  • "*Venturing* into different cultures" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*venturing* into different cultures).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a passion for venturing into unexplored territories.

  He has a passion for venturing into unexplored territories.

  • "For *venturing*" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *venturing* into unexplored territories).

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
• hope
• attempt
• refuse

Example

We decided to venture into the real estate business.

He plans to venture into the tech industry.

They hope to venture into international markets.

She attempted to venture into the fashion industry.

They refused to venture into risky investments.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

She enjoys venturing into new restaurants.

They recommend venturing into entrepreneurship for personal growth.

He avoids venturing into risky business ventures.

Can you imagine yourself venturing into space?

We are considering venturing into the online market.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to venture into uncharted territories. She likes venturing into uncharted territories.

We started to venture together as business partners. We started venturing together as business partners.

He began to venture into the global market. He began venturing into the global market.