To Vow vs Vowing 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 vow (Infinitive)

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

Example

She vowed to swim across the English Channel.

Vowing (Gerund)

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

Example

Vowing to protect the environment is a noble act.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To vow (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To vow is a solemn promise to oneself or others.

  To vow is a solemn promise to oneself or others.

  • "*To vow*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a solemn promise to oneself or others).
• 2. Object

  He urged them to vow to protect the environment.

  He urged them to vow to protect the environment.

  • "Them *to vow* to protect the environment" is the object of the verb "urged."
  • Noun (He) + verb (urged) + noun phrase (them *to vow* to protect the environment).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  They need a strong reason to vow their loyalty.

  They need a strong reason to vow their loyalty.

  • "*To vow* their loyalty" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong reason *to vow* their loyalty).

Vowing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Vowing is a way to express determination and dedication.

  Vowing is a way to express determination and dedication.

  • "*Vowing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a way to express determination and dedication).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys vowing to make a positive impact on society.

  She enjoys vowing to make a positive impact on society.

  • "*Vowing* to make a positive impact on society" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*vowing* to make a positive impact on society).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a passion for vowing to fight for justice.

  He has a passion for vowing to fight for justice.

  • "For *vowing* to fight for justice" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *vowing* to fight for justice).

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

• promise
• decide
• hope
• refuse
• attempt

Example

She promised to vow never to give up.

They decided to vow to support each other in their goals.

He hopes to vow his commitment to the cause.

We refused to vow allegiance to a corrupt leader.

They attempted to vow to live a life of integrity.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• imagine
• consider
• resist

Example

They avoid vowing to compromise their principles.

Experts recommend vowing to live a sustainable lifestyle.

Can you imagine yourself vowing to make a difference in the world?

She is considering vowing to donate a portion of her income.

He resists vowing to conform to societal expectations.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to vow to always be true to myself. I like vowing to challenge myself.

They started to vow to prioritize self-care. They started vowing to live a healthier lifestyle.

She began to vow to pursue her dreams relentlessly. She began vowing to overcome any obstacles.