To Volunteer vs Volunteering 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 volunteer (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to volunteer at the local shelter.

Volunteering (Gerund)

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

Example

Volunteering is a fulfilling experience.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To volunteer (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To volunteer is a great way to give back to the community.

  To volunteer is a great way to give back to the community.

  • "*To volunteer*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to give back to the community).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to volunteer at the event.

  She wants me to volunteer at the event.

  • "Me *to volunteer* at the event" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to volunteer* at the event).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a project to volunteer my time for.

  I need a project to volunteer my time for.

  • "*To volunteer* my time for" modifies the noun "project."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a project *to volunteer* my time for).

Volunteering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Volunteering helps create a sense of purpose.

  Volunteering helps create a sense of purpose.

  • "*Volunteering*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (helps) + noun phrase (a sense of purpose).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy volunteering at the hospital.

  I enjoy volunteering at the hospital.

  • "*Volunteering* at the hospital" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*volunteering* at the hospital).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for volunteering.

  She has a passion for volunteering.

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

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

She plans to volunteer at the homeless shelter tomorrow.

They hope to volunteer at the animal rescue center during their vacation.

He wants to volunteer in the community garden.

We decided to volunteer at the local school this weekend.

They agreed to volunteer at the charity event together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys volunteering at the orphanage every weekend.

They recommend regular volunteering for personal growth.

I dislike the idea of volunteering in crowded places.

He avoids volunteering for organizations that don't align with his values.

Can you imagine yourself volunteering in a foreign country?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to volunteer at the community center. She likes volunteering at the community center.

We started to volunteer together. We started volunteering together.

He began to volunteer his time for a local charity. He began volunteering his time for a local charity.