To Align vs Aligning 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 align (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to align my goals with my values.

Aligning (Gerund)

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

Example

Aligning your thoughts and actions is important for personal growth.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To align (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To align is essential for success in any project.

  To align is essential for success in any project.

  • "*To align*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (essential) + prepositional phrase (for success in any project).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to align the team's objectives.

  She wants me to align the team's objectives.

  • "Me *to align* the team's objectives" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to align* the team's objectives).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a strategy to align all departments.

  I need a strategy to align all departments.

  • "*To align* all departments" modifies the noun "strategy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to align* all departments).

Aligning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Aligning your priorities can lead to a more balanced life.

  Aligning your priorities can lead to a more balanced life.

  • "*Aligning* your priorities" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + possessive pronoun (your) + noun (priorities) + verb (can lead to) + noun phrase (a more balanced life).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy aligning different departments in the organization.

  I enjoy aligning different departments in the organization.

  • "*Aligning* different departments in the organization" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*aligning* different departments in the organization).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for aligning conflicting interests.

  He has a talent for aligning conflicting interests.

  • "For *aligning* conflicting interests" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *aligning* conflicting interests).

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 align their schedules for the upcoming project.

I hope to align my actions with my values.

We want to align our goals with our vision.

He decided to align his decisions with his principles.

They agreed to align their strategies for better collaboration.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

She enjoys aligning people's strengths with their roles.

Experts recommend regularly aligning business strategies with market trends.

They avoid aligning themselves with unethical practices.

Can you imagine aligning your personal and professional goals?

I am considering aligning my career with my passion.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to align my daily tasks with my long-term goals. I like aligning my daily tasks with my long-term goals.

We started to align our team's objectives with the company's mission. We started aligning our team's objectives with the company's mission.

He began to align his values with his actions. He began aligning his values with his actions.