To Analyze vs Analyzing 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 analyze (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to analyze the data to find patterns.

Analyzing (Gerund)

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

Example

Analyzing the data can provide valuable insights.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To analyze (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To analyze is an important step in the research process.

  To analyze is an important step in the research process.

  • "*To analyze*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in the research process).
• 2. Object

  She asked me to analyze the market trends.

  She asked me to analyze the market trends.

  • "Me *to analyze* the market trends" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to analyze* the market trends).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a software to analyze the data.

  I need a software to analyze the data.

  • "*To analyze* the data" modifies the noun "software."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a software *to analyze* the data).

Analyzing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Analyzing the market trends is crucial for success.

  Analyzing the market trends is crucial for success.

  • "*Analyzing* the market trends" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (crucial for success).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy analyzing complex problems.

  I enjoy analyzing complex problems.

  • "*Analyzing* complex problems" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*analyzing* complex problems).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for analyzing data.

  She has a talent for analyzing data.

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

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
• want
• attempt
• manage

Example

We decided to analyze the results further.

They hope to analyze the situation before making a decision.

He wants to analyze the financial statements for accuracy.

She attempted to analyze the causes of the problem.

They managed to analyze the data within the given time frame.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

He enjoys analyzing statistical patterns.

They recommend regular analyzing of market trends.

I avoid analyzing data late at night.

We are considering analyzing the impact of the new policy.

Can you imagine yourself analyzing complex algorithms?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to analyze data for trends and patterns. She likes analyzing data for trends and patterns.

We started to analyze the data from scratch. We started analyzing the data from scratch.

He began to analyze the research findings. He began analyzing the research findings.