Be Eager To Do vs. Eager For Something
Cambridge directly records eager to do and eager for something. The guide compares those supported structures rather than manufacturing a gerund alternative.
Use “eager to do something” before an action expressed by an infinitive, and “eager for something” before the object of eagerness. Both constructions are directly documented by Cambridge.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| readiness or strong desire to act | eager to + verb | use the infinitive before the action |
| strong desire for an object, event, or outcome | eager for + noun phrase | use “for” before the object/outcome |
Quick tests
Action-or-object test
Are you naming what someone wants to do, or what they want to receive/experience?
If yes: Use “eager to + verb” for the action.
If no: Use “eager for + noun phrase” for the object, event, or outcome.
Caveat: Both constructions are directly documented; do not manufacture a gerund rule by analogy.
Examples
The team is eager to begin the review.
The infinitive names the action they want to perform.
Applicants were eager for an update.
“For” introduces the thing desired.
She was eager for the next stage to begin.
A noun phrase can name the anticipated event or outcome.
Further guidance
Core difference
Cambridge documents eager + to-infinitive and eager for + noun as standard constructions.
Style Boundary
Describe the attested complement choices without inventing an unsupported eager-for-doing versus eager-to-do rule.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Eager (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct dictionary evidence for eager + to-infinitive and eager for + noun.