To Accrue vs Accruing 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 accrue (Infinitive)

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

Example

I hope to accrue enough vacation days for my trip.

Accruing (Gerund)

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

Example

Accruing interest can be advantageous for long-term investments.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To accrue (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To accrue interest is beneficial for long-term investments.

  To accrue interest is beneficial for long-term investments.

  • "*To accrue* interest" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (beneficial for long-term investments).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to accrue more points in the game.

  She wants me to accrue more points in the game.

  • "Me *to accrue* more points in the game" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to accrue* more points in the game).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a strategy to accrue wealth.

  I need a strategy to accrue wealth.

  • "*To accrue* wealth" modifies the noun "strategy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to accrue* wealth).

Accruing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Accruing debt is not a wise financial decision.

  Accruing debt is not a wise financial decision.

  • "*Accruing* debt" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (not a wise financial decision).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy accruing rewards points with my credit card.

  I enjoy accruing rewards points with my credit card.

  • "*Accruing* rewards points with my credit card" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*accruing* rewards points with my credit card).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for accruing wealth.

  She has a talent for accruing wealth.

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

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

She plans to accrue more savings for retirement.

They hope to accrue enough money for a down payment on a house.

He wants to accrue more experience in his field.

We decided to accrue additional knowledge through further education.

They agreed to accrue more followers on social media.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys accruing frequent flyer miles with her travels.

They recommend regularly accruing savings for emergencies.

I dislike the idea of accruing unnecessary expenses.

He avoids accruing late fees by paying bills on time.

Can you imagine yourself accruing wealth through smart investments?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to accrue points in the game. She likes accruing points in the game.

We started to accrue more savings for the future. We started accruing more savings for the future.

He began to accrue knowledge in his chosen field. He began accruing knowledge in his chosen field.