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

She anticipates to anticipate a challenging competition.

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 is important for success.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To anticipate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To anticipate is to expect something in advance.

  To anticipate is to expect something in advance.

  • "*To anticipate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (to expect something in advance).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to anticipate his needs.

  He wants me to anticipate his needs.

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

  I need a plan to anticipate potential problems.

  I need a plan to anticipate potential problems.

  • "*To anticipate* potential problems" modifies the noun "plan."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a plan *to anticipate* potential problems).

Anticipating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Anticipating the future is difficult.

  Anticipating the future is difficult.

  • "*Anticipating* the future" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the future).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy anticipating new opportunities.

  I enjoy anticipating new opportunities.

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

  They have a knack for anticipating changes.

  They have a knack for anticipating changes.

  • "For *anticipating* changes" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a knack for *anticipating* changes).

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

• hope
• plan
• decide
• refuse
• struggle

Example

They hope to anticipate the market trends.

We plan to anticipate any obstacles.

He decided to anticipate the opponent's moves.

She refuses to anticipate failure.

They struggle to anticipate customer demands.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• consider
• recommend
• avoid
• understand

Example

She enjoys anticipating the future.

They consider anticipating risks before making decisions.

I recommend anticipating potential problems.

He avoids anticipating negative outcomes.

We understand the importance of anticipating customer needs.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to anticipate future trends. She likes anticipating future trends.

We started to anticipate possible challenges. We started anticipating possible challenges.

He began to anticipate potential risks. He began anticipating potential risks.