To Anticipate vs Anticipating 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 anticipate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I hope to anticipate any potential problems in advance.

Anticipating (Gerund)

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

Example

Anticipating challenges can help you prepare better.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To anticipate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To anticipate is crucial in project management.

  To anticipate is crucial in project management.

  • "*To anticipate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (crucial).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to anticipate her needs.

  She wants me to anticipate her needs.

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

  We need a detailed plan to anticipate any challenges.

  We need a detailed plan to anticipate any challenges.

  • "*To anticipate* any challenges" modifies the noun "plan."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a detailed plan *to anticipate* any challenges).

Anticipating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Anticipating problems is a key skill in problem-solving.

  Anticipating problems is a key skill in problem-solving.

  • "*Anticipating* problems" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a key skill in problem-solving).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy anticipating the needs of my clients.

  I enjoy anticipating the needs of my clients.

  • "*Anticipating* the needs of my clients" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*anticipating* the needs of my clients).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for anticipating market trends.

  She has a talent for anticipating market trends.

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

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 anticipate the market trends for their new product.

I hope to anticipate the customer's needs and preferences.

He wants to anticipate any changes in the project timeline.

We decided to anticipate potential risks and develop contingency plans.

They agreed to anticipate the possible outcomes of the decision.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys anticipating the outcome of his experiments.

They recommend anticipating potential obstacles before starting a new project.

I dislike anticipating conflicts in the workplace.

She avoids anticipating negative outcomes and focuses on solutions.

Can you imagine anticipating the needs of customers before they even ask?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to anticipate challenges and find innovative solutions. I like anticipating challenges and finding innovative solutions.

We started to anticipate potential risks from the beginning. We started anticipating potential risks from the beginning.

He began to anticipate the market trends for his business. He began anticipating the market trends for his business.