To Adhere vs Adhering 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 adhere (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to adhere to a strict diet for better health.

Adhering (Gerund)

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

Example

Adhering to a set schedule helps improve productivity.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To adhere (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To adhere to the rules is important in this organization.

  To adhere to the rules is important in this organization.

  • "*To adhere* to the rules" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to adhere to the schedule.

  She wants me to adhere to the schedule.

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

  We need a strong adhesive to adhere the pieces together.

  We need a strong adhesive to adhere the pieces together.

  • "*To adhere* the pieces together" modifies the noun "adhesive."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong adhesive *to adhere* the pieces together).

Adhering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Adhering to deadlines is crucial in this industry.

  Adhering to deadlines is crucial in this industry.

  • "*Adhering* to deadlines" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (crucial).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy adhering to a healthy lifestyle.

  I enjoy adhering to a healthy lifestyle.

  • "*Adhering* to a healthy lifestyle" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*adhering* to a healthy lifestyle).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for adhering to ethical principles.

  She has a passion for adhering to ethical principles.

  • "For *adhering* to ethical principles" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *adhering* to ethical principles).

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

He plans to adhere to a strict workout routine.

They hope to adhere to the new policies at work.

She wants to adhere to the safety guidelines.

We decided to adhere to a vegan diet.

They agreed to adhere to the terms and conditions.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys adhering to a strict workout regimen.

They recommend regular adhering to safety protocols.

I dislike the idea of adhering to strict rules.

She avoids adhering to unhealthy habits.

Can you imagine yourself adhering to a strict budget?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to adhere to a structured routine. She likes adhering to a structured routine.

We started to adhere to the company's policies. We started adhering to the company's policies.

He began to adhere to a specific diet plan. He began adhering to a specific diet plan.