Non-infinitive verb with 'eager to...'

Use eager to + infinitive (to + base verb). The most common mistakes are using a gerund (to + -ing) or a conjugated verb after to. When you mean an action, write eager to + base verb; when you mean a noun, use eager for + noun.

Quick answer

After "eager to" always use the to-infinitive: eager to + base verb (to + verb). Use "eager for" before nouns.

Correct: I'm eager to start the project.
Wrong: I'm eager to starting the project.
Correct noun form: I'm eager for feedback.

Core rule (short)

Structure: subject + be + eager + to + base verb. The main-clause verb shows tense; eager takes a non-finite to-infinitive.

Right: She is eager to help.
Wrong: She is eager to helping. → Fix: She is eager to help.
Right: I am eager to begin.
Wrong: I am eager to beginning. → Fix: I am eager to begin.

Common wrong forms and fast fixes

Most mistakes are either (A) to + -ing or (B) to + conjugated verb. Fix both by using the base verb after to.

Wrong: I am eager to runs a marathon this weekend. →
Right: I am eager to run a marathon this weekend.
Wrong: She is eager to reads a new book. →
Right: She is eager to read a new book.
Wrong: We're eager to starting the training. →
Right: We're eager to start the training.
Wrong: They're eager to visits their grandparents. →
Right: They're eager to visit their grandparents.
Wrong: I'm eager to going tonight. →
Right: I'm eager to go tonight.
Wrong: We're eager to having you join the team. →
Right: We're eager to have you join the team.

Examples by context - work, school, casual

Use these models for emails, assignments, or messages. Each example uses eager to + infinitive correctly.

Work: I'm eager to present the Q2 results on Monday.
Work: She's eager to take on the new client account.
Work: They're eager to finalize the contract before month-end.
School: I'm eager to study abroad next semester.
School: She's eager to submit her thesis by Friday.
School: We're eager to review the lab results after class.
Casual: I'm eager to try that new taco truck this weekend.
Casual: He's eager to watch the season finale tonight.
Casual: She's eager to meet you at the café.

Rewrite help - fix your sentence in three steps

Three-step fix: 1) Spot the word after to. 2) If it's -ing or conjugated, swap for the base verb. 3) If you meant a noun, use eager for + noun.

Template A (action): [Subject] + be + eager + to + [base verb].
Template B (noun): [Subject] + be + eager + for + [noun].

Wrong: I am eager to the concert. →
Right: I am eager to attend the concert.
Wrong: She was eager to learning French. →
Right: She was eager to learn French.
Wrong: He is eager for improving his score. →
Right: He is eager to improve his score. - or - He is eager for improvement.

Try your own sentence

Read the whole sentence aloud. Context often makes the correct form obvious: actions need to-infinitives, things need eager for.

Memory trick & quick proofreading checks

Memory trick: mentally insert to + base verb after eager. If you want to add -ing, stop and change it.

Proofread: search for "eager to" and check the following word. If it ends in -ing or has an s/es ending, change it.
Read aloud: natural phrasing usually reveals errors (e.g., "eager to go" vs "eager to going").

Wrong: We're eager to having you here. →
Right: We're eager to have you here.
Wrong: She's eager to reads the memo. →
Right: She's eager to read the memo.

Real usage and tone: formal vs informal and synonyms

"Eager to" works across tones. Note that similar phrases can require different structures.

Formal: The committee is eager to review the proposal.
Informal: I'm eager to catch up this weekend.
Be careful: "looking forward to" takes a gerund (I'm looking forward to meeting you).
"Keen to" behaves like "eager to" (more British): She's keen to join the project.

Hyphenation, spacing and tiny style points

Do not hyphenate eager to; keep it as two words and use single spacing. A line break between eager and to is fine for layout but check readability.

Wrong: She is eager-to help. -
Right: She is eager to help.
Wrong: eagerto meet you tomorrow. -
Right: eager to meet you tomorrow.

Short grammar deep-dive and checklist

Technically, eager takes a to-infinitive complement. The to-infinitive is non-finite, so tense stays in the main clause.

Checklist: find "eager to" → check the next word: is it a base verb? If not, change it.
If the next unit is a noun, use "eager for" + noun.
Confirm synonyms' required complements (e.g., "looking forward to" + gerund).

Usage: She had been eager to start the internship for months.
Usage: Participants were eager to apply the new techniques after the workshop.

FAQ

Can I say "eager to doing"?

No. Use the to-infinitive: eager to + base verb. If you want an -ing form, use "looking forward to" instead.

When should I use "eager for" instead of "eager to"?

Use "eager for" before nouns: eager for feedback, eager for the weekend. Use "eager to" before actions: eager to learn, eager to begin.

Is "I'm eager to meet" okay for business emails?

Yes. "I'm eager to meet" is fine in professional contexts. For very formal tone, consider "We look forward to meeting you" (note the gerund).

How do I fix "eager" mistakes quickly in a long document?

Search for "eager to" and inspect the following word. If it ends in -ing or is conjugated, replace it with the base verb. If you intended a noun, switch to "eager for + noun".

What other adjectives cause similar errors?

Adjectives like keen, anxious, ready, and happy often take to-infinitives (keen to start, anxious to begin). But "looking forward to" requires a gerund. Check each adjective's pattern.

Quick check before you send

Use the three-step fix (spot, swap, or switch to eager for) or read the sentence aloud. Small corrections like this improve clarity and make your writing sound natural.