To Actuate vs Actuating 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 actuate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I plan to actuate the machine with a push of a button.

Actuating (Gerund)

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

Example

Actuating the machine requires careful calibration.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To actuate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To actuate the device requires a specific code.

  To actuate the device requires a specific code.

  • "*To actuate* the device" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (a specific code).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to actuate the system.

  She wants me to actuate the system.

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

  We need a power source to actuate the mechanism.

  We need a power source to actuate the mechanism.

  • "*To actuate* the mechanism" modifies the noun "power source."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a power source *to actuate* the mechanism).

Actuating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Actuating the device is a complex process.

  Actuating the device is a complex process.

  • "*Actuating* the device" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a complex process).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy actuating the system.

  I enjoy actuating the system.

  • "*Actuating* the system" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*actuating* the system).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have experience in actuating various machines.

  They have experience in actuating various machines.

  • "In *actuating* various machines" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (experience in *actuating* various machines).

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

• decide
• attempt
• manage
• refuse
• demand

Example

They decided to actuate the machine manually.

He attempted to actuate the device using voice commands.

We managed to actuate the system remotely.

She refused to actuate the mechanism without proper authorization.

The customer demanded to actuate the machine immediately.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• mind
• consider
• resist

Example

We avoid actuating the device without proper training.

Experts recommend regular actuating for optimal performance.

Do you mind actuating the system for me?

We are considering actuating the equipment remotely.

She resisted actuating the machine due to safety concerns.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He likes to actuate the machine manually. He likes actuating the machine manually.

We started to actuate the system with a simple switch. We started actuating the system with a simple switch.

They began to actuate the device with a voice command. They began actuating the device with a voice command.