To Accomplish vs Accomplishing 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 accomplish (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to accomplish my goals in life.

Accomplishing (Gerund)

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

Example

Accomplishing tasks gives a sense of satisfaction.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To accomplish (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To accomplish is his main motivation in everything he does.

  To accomplish is his main motivation in everything he does.

  • "*To accomplish*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his main motivation in everything he does).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to accomplish the project by next week.

  She wants me to accomplish the project by next week.

  • "Me *to accomplish* the project by next week" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to accomplish* the project by next week).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a plan to accomplish our objectives.

  We need a plan to accomplish our objectives.

  • "*To accomplish* our objectives" modifies the noun "plan."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a plan *to accomplish* our objectives).

Accomplishing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Accomplishing difficult challenges requires determination and perseverance.

  Accomplishing difficult challenges requires determination and perseverance.

  • "*Accomplishing* difficult challenges" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (determination and perseverance).
• 2. Object

  He enjoys accomplishing his daily to-do list.

  He enjoys accomplishing his daily to-do list.

  • "*Accomplishing* his daily to-do list" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*accomplishing* his daily to-do list).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She takes pride in accomplishing her goals.

  She takes pride in accomplishing her goals.

  • "In *accomplishing* her goals" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (takes) + noun phrase (pride in *accomplishing* her goals).

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 accomplish the task before the deadline.

He hopes to accomplish great things in his career.

We want to accomplish our dreams and aspirations.

She decided to accomplish her goals through hard work.

They agreed to accomplish the mission together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy accomplishing new challenges.

Experts recommend setting goals and accomplishing them step by step.

He dislikes the feeling of not accomplishing anything productive.

She avoids procrastination to ensure accomplishing her tasks.

Can you imagine yourself accomplishing your wildest dreams?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to accomplish all my goals this year. I would like accomplishing all my goals this year.

They started to accomplish their dreams at a young age. They started accomplishing their dreams at a young age.

He began to accomplish his tasks early in the morning. He began accomplishing his tasks early in the morning.