To Appoint vs Appointing 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 appoint (Infinitive)

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

Example

The company decided to appoint a new CEO.

Appointing (Gerund)

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

Example

Appointing a new manager can be a challenging task.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To appoint (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To appoint someone as the leader requires careful consideration.

  To appoint someone as the leader requires careful consideration.

  • "*To appoint* someone as the leader" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful consideration).
• 2. Object

  They asked me to appoint a committee for the project.

  They asked me to appoint a committee for the project.

  • "Me *to appoint* a committee for the project" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (They) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to appoint* a committee for the project).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a qualified person to appoint as the manager.

  We need a qualified person to appoint as the manager.

  • "*To appoint* as the manager" modifies the noun "person."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a qualified person *to appoint* as the manager).

Appointing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Appointing him as the team captain was a great decision.

  Appointing him as the team captain was a great decision.

  • "*Appointing* him as the team captain" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (a great decision).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys appointing qualified candidates for job positions.

  She enjoys appointing qualified candidates for job positions.

  • "*Appointing* qualified candidates for job positions" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*appointing* qualified candidates for job positions).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  We discussed the process of appointing a new CEO.

  We discussed the process of appointing a new CEO.

  • "Of *appointing* a new CEO" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (We) + verb (discussed) + noun phrase (the process of *appointing* a new CEO).

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
• plan
• choose
• wish
• refuse

Example

The board of directors decided to appoint a new chairman.

They are planning to appoint a committee for the event.

We chose to appoint her as the project lead.

I wish to appoint someone with experience for the role.

He refused to appoint her as his assistant.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• recommend
• delay
• avoid
• understand

Example

They are considering appointing an external consultant for the project.

I highly recommend appointing her as the team leader.

The company decided to delay appointing a new manager until next month.

He wants to avoid appointing someone with a conflict of interest.

I don't understand the process of appointing a new board member.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I would like to appoint you as my assistant. I would like appointing you as my assistant.

They will begin to appoint a new team for the project. They will begin appointing a new team for the project.

We should continue to appoint experienced professionals. We should continue appointing experienced professionals.