To Access vs Accessing 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 access (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to access the information on the website.

Accessing (Gerund)

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

Example

Accessing the information is quick and easy.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To access (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To access the data is essential for our research.

  To access the data is essential for our research.

  • "*To access* the data" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for our research).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to access the document.

  She wants me to access the document.

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

  We need a password to access the system.

  We need a password to access the system.

  • "*To access* the system" modifies the noun "password."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a password *to access* the system).

Accessing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Accessing the website requires a stable internet connection.

  Accessing the website requires a stable internet connection.

  • "*Accessing* the website" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (a stable internet connection).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy accessing my emails on my phone.

  I enjoy accessing my emails on my phone.

  • "*Accessing* my emails on my phone" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*accessing* my emails on my phone).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for accessing information quickly.

  She has a talent for accessing information quickly.

  • "For *accessing* information quickly" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *accessing* information quickly).

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

They plan to access the online course materials later.

I hope to access the website without any issues.

He wants to access the restricted area of the building.

We decided to access the file from the shared drive.

They agreed to access the database together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy accessing the latest news online.

I recommend accessing the online resources for studying.

She dislikes the idea of accessing personal information.

He avoids accessing suspicious websites.

Can you imagine accessing all your files from anywhere?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

We would like to access the exclusive content. We would like accessing the exclusive content.

He started to access the database regularly. He started accessing the database regularly.

She began to access the online course material. She began accessing the online course material.