To Acquire vs Acquiring 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 acquire (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to acquire new skills to advance in my career.

Acquiring (Gerund)

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

Example

Acquiring new skills is important for personal development.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To acquire (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To acquire knowledge is essential for personal growth.

  To acquire knowledge is essential for personal growth.

  • "*To acquire* knowledge" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for personal growth).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to acquire a new language.

  She wants me to acquire a new language.

  • "Me *to acquire* a new language" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to acquire* a new language).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a mentor to acquire valuable insights.

  I need a mentor to acquire valuable insights.

  • "*To acquire* valuable insights" modifies the noun "mentor."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a mentor *to acquire* valuable insights).

Acquiring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Acquiring knowledge is a lifelong process.

  Acquiring knowledge is a lifelong process.

  • "*Acquiring* knowledge" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a lifelong process).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy acquiring new information through reading.

  I enjoy acquiring new information through reading.

  • "*Acquiring* new information through reading" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*acquiring* new information through reading).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for acquiring new skills.

  She has a passion for acquiring new skills.

  • "For *acquiring* new skills" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *acquiring* new skills).

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 acquire new skills for her job.

They hope to acquire more knowledge in their field.

He wants to acquire practical experience in the industry.

We decided to acquire additional qualifications for better opportunities.

They agreed to acquire specialized training together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys acquiring new knowledge in various subjects.

They recommend continuous acquiring of skills for professional growth.

I dislike the idea of acquiring unnecessary knowledge.

He avoids acquiring bad habits in his profession.

Can you imagine yourself acquiring expertise in a new field?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to acquire new hobbies. She likes acquiring new hobbies.

We started to acquire advanced equipment. We started acquiring advanced equipment.

He began to acquire specialized knowledge. He began acquiring specialized knowledge.