To Acknowledge vs Acknowledging 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 acknowledge (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to acknowledge his existence.

Acknowledging (Gerund)

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

Example

Acknowledging your mistakes is a sign of maturity.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To acknowledge (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To acknowledge is a sign of respect.

  To acknowledge is a sign of respect.

  • "*To acknowledge*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of respect).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to acknowledge her achievements.

  She wants me to acknowledge her achievements.

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

  I need a reminder to acknowledge his help.

  I need a reminder to acknowledge his help.

  • "*To acknowledge* his help" modifies the noun "reminder."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reminder *to acknowledge* his help).

Acknowledging (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Acknowledging your weaknesses is important for personal growth.

  Acknowledging your weaknesses is important for personal growth.

  • "*Acknowledging* your weaknesses" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important for personal growth).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy acknowledging the achievements of others.

  I enjoy acknowledging the achievements of others.

  • "*Acknowledging* the achievements of others" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*acknowledging* the achievements of others).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of acknowledging others' contributions.

  She has a habit of acknowledging others' contributions.

  • "Of *acknowledging* others' contributions" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *acknowledging* others' contributions).

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

• promise
• attempt
• choose
• demand
• wish

Example

He promised to acknowledge her contribution.

They attempted to acknowledge their mistake.

We choose to acknowledge the hard work of our employees.

The audience demanded to acknowledge the performer's talent.

I wish to acknowledge the efforts of the organizing committee.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• mind
• discuss

Example

I recommend acknowledging the team's efforts.

He avoids acknowledging his mistakes.

They consider acknowledging their achievements as essential.

Do you mind acknowledging your role in the project?

Let's discuss the importance of acknowledging others' contributions.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to acknowledge people's accomplishments. She likes acknowledging people's accomplishments.

We started to acknowledge our mistakes openly. We started acknowledging our mistakes openly.

He began to acknowledge the support he received. He began acknowledging the support he received.