To Activate vs Activating 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 activate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to activate my new phone.

Activating (Gerund)

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

Example

Activating the device is necessary before use.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To activate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To activate is a simple process.

  To activate is a simple process.

  • "*To activate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a simple process).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to activate her account.

  She wants me to activate her account.

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

  We need a key to activate the security system.

  We need a key to activate the security system.

  • "*To activate* the security system" modifies the noun "key."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a key *to activate* the security system).

Activating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Activating is a crucial step in the setup process.

  Activating is a crucial step in the setup process.

  • "*Activating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a crucial step in the setup process).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy activating new gadgets.

  I enjoy activating new gadgets.

  • "*Activating* new gadgets" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*activating* new gadgets).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for activating complex systems.

  She has a talent for activating complex systems.

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

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 activate the new software tomorrow.

I hope to activate the new features soon.

He wants to activate the special offer.

We decided to activate the emergency plan.

They agreed to activate the alarm system together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys activating smart home devices.

They recommend activating the security features for better protection.

I dislike the process of activating online accounts.

She avoids activating unnecessary functions.

Can you imagine yourself activating a futuristic device?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to activate new applications. They like activating new applications.

He started to activate the program. He started activating the program.

We began to activate the system. We began activating the system.