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 committee decided to appoint a new chairperson.
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 qualified candidate is crucial for the success of the company.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To appoint (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To appoint someone is a responsibility of the hiring manager.
To appoint someone is a responsibility of the hiring manager.
- "*To appoint* someone" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a responsibility of the hiring manager).
- 2Object
They want us to appoint a qualified candidate.
They want us to appoint a qualified candidate.
- "Us *to appoint* a qualified candidate" is the object of the verb "want."
- Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to appoint* a qualified candidate).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a meeting room to appoint the new committee members.
We need a meeting room to appoint the new committee members.
- "*To appoint* the new committee members" modifies the noun "meeting room."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a meeting room *to appoint* the new committee members).
Appointing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Appointing the right person requires careful consideration.
Appointing the right person requires careful consideration.
- "*Appointing* the right person" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful consideration).
- 2Object
We appreciate your help in appointing the new committee members.
We appreciate your help in appointing the new committee members.
- "Your help in *appointing* the new committee members" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
- Noun (We) + verb (appreciate) + gerund (your help in *appointing* the new committee members).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has experience in appointing top-level executives.
He has experience in appointing top-level executives.
- "In *appointing* top-level executives" is the object of the preposition "in."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience in *appointing* top-level executives).
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
Example
They decided to appoint a project manager for the new initiative.
The company offered her to appoint a personal assistant.
We plan to appoint a new CEO by the end of the month.
The board of directors determined to appoint an external consultant for the audit.
I hope to appoint a skilled team for the project.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They are considering appointing a new marketing director.
I recommend appointing an external auditor for the financial review.
She avoids appointing candidates without relevant experience.
Do you mind appointing someone else as the team leader?
They decided to postpone appointing a new board member until next month.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to appoint experienced professionals for important roles. She likes appointing experienced professionals for important roles.
We began to appoint a new manager for the department. We began appointing a new manager for the department.
He will continue to appoint qualified candidates for the job. He will continue appointing qualified candidates for the job.
