To Allow vs Allowing 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 allow (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to allow my children to make their own decisions.

Allowing (Gerund)

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

Example

Allowing yourself to take breaks can improve productivity.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To allow (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To allow others to express themselves is important in a democratic society.

  To allow others to express themselves is important in a democratic society.

  • "*To allow* others to express themselves" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important in a democratic society).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to allow her to go to the party.

  She wants me to allow her to go to the party.

  • "Me *to allow* her to go to the party" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to allow* her to go to the party).
• 3. Adverb Modifier

  I need more time to allow for proper planning.

  I need more time to allow for proper planning.

  • "*To allow* for proper planning" modifies the noun "time."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (more time *to allow* for proper planning).

Allowing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Allowing others to make mistakes is part of the learning process.

  Allowing others to make mistakes is part of the learning process.

  • "*Allowing* others to make mistakes" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (part of the learning process).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy allowing myself some relaxation time.

  I enjoy allowing myself some relaxation time.

  • "*Allowing* myself some relaxation time" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*allowing* myself some relaxation time).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of allowing others to take advantage of her.

  She has a habit of allowing others to take advantage of her.

  • "Of *allowing* others to take advantage of her" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *allowing* others to take advantage of her).

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
• hope
• plan
• want
• refuse

Example

We decided to allow them to choose their own path.

They hope to allow pets in their new apartment.

She plans to allow extra time for the project.

He wants to allow more flexibility in the schedule.

They refused to allow any changes to the contract.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• mind
• postpone

Example

They recommend allowing enough time for proper rest.

He avoids allowing negative thoughts to control his actions.

I am considering allowing my employees to work remotely.

Do you mind allowing me to use your computer?

They postponed allowing visitors until further notice.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to allow her children to explore and learn. She likes allowing her children to explore and learn.

We started to allow flexible working hours. We started allowing flexible working hours.

He began to allow more creativity in his artwork. He began allowing more creativity in his artwork.