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To Allege vs Alleging Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To allege (Infinitive)

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

Example

The lawyer wants to allege misconduct in the trial.

Alleging (Gerund)

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

Example

Alleging misconduct can be a serious accusation.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To allege (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To allege is a serious accusation.

    To allege is a serious accusation.

    • "*To allege*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (a serious accusation).
  • 2Object

    She asked me to allege fraud in the case.

    She asked me to allege fraud in the case.

    • "Me *to allege* fraud in the case" is the object of the verb "asked."
    • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to allege* fraud in the case).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    He needs evidence to allege wrongdoing.

    He needs evidence to allege wrongdoing.

    • "*To allege* wrongdoing" modifies the noun "evidence."
    • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (evidence *to allege* wrongdoing).

Alleging (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Alleging a crime requires evidence.

    Alleging a crime requires evidence.

    • "*Alleging* a crime" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (evidence).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy alleging corruption in my novels.

    I enjoy alleging corruption in my novels.

    • "*Alleging* corruption in my novels" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*alleging* corruption in my novels).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    He was arrested for alleging misconduct.

    He was arrested for alleging misconduct.

    • "For *alleging* misconduct" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (He) + verb (was) + preposition (for) + gerund (*alleging* misconduct).

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

Example

They claim to allege conspiracy against them.

The protestors demand the right to allege discrimination.

He threatened to allege corruption if he was not given what he wanted.

She insists to allege bias in the investigation.

The victim will accuse the suspect to allege assault.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

They deny alleging any wrongdoing.

We are considering alleging fraud in the lawsuit.

He avoids alleging conspiracy theories in his speeches.

They recommend alleging negligence in the accident report.

She admitted alleging misconduct during the trial.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

I would like to allege misconduct in the investigation. I would like alleging misconduct in the investigation.

They started to allege corruption in the government. They started alleging corruption in the government.

He began to allege fraud in his testimony. He began alleging fraud in his testimony.

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