To Advertise vs Advertising 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 advertise (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to advertise my business on social media.

Advertising (Gerund)

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

Example

Advertising plays a crucial role in building brand awareness.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To advertise (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To advertise is essential for promoting a product or service.

  To advertise is essential for promoting a product or service.

  • "*To advertise*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for promoting a product or service).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to advertise her event.

  She wants me to advertise her event.

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

  We need a platform to advertise our products.

  We need a platform to advertise our products.

  • "*To advertise* our products" modifies the noun "platform."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to advertise* our products).

Advertising (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Advertising is a powerful tool for reaching a wider audience.

  Advertising is a powerful tool for reaching a wider audience.

  • "*Advertising*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a powerful tool for reaching a wider audience).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy advertising my products through social media.

  I enjoy advertising my products through social media.

  • "*Advertising* my products through social media" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*advertising* my products through social media).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for advertising.

  She has a talent for advertising.

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

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 advertise their new campaign next week.

I hope to advertise my business in local newspapers.

He wants to advertise his brand on billboards.

We decided to advertise on television during prime time.

They agreed to advertise jointly with another company.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

They enjoy advertising their services on television.

Experts recommend targeted advertising for better results.

I avoid excessive advertising to prevent customer fatigue.

We are considering online advertising for our new product.

Can you imagine advertising your business during the Super Bowl?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to advertise her products on social media. She likes advertising her products on social media.

We started to advertise in magazines. We started advertising in magazines.

He began to advertise his business on radio. He began advertising his business on radio.