When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To approve (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to approve" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
The committee needs to approve the project before it can move forward.
Approving (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "approving" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Approving the proposal was a difficult decision for the committee.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To approve (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To approve is an important responsibility of the board members.
To approve is an important responsibility of the board members.
- "*To approve*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important responsibility of the board members).
- 2Object
She wants the manager to approve her vacation request.
She wants the manager to approve her vacation request.
- "The manager *to approve* her vacation request" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (the manager *to approve* her vacation request).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a signature to approve the document.
We need a signature to approve the document.
- "*To approve* the document" modifies the noun "signature."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a signature *to approve* the document).
Approving (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Approving the plan required a lot of research.
Approving the plan required a lot of research.
- "*Approving* the plan" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (required) + noun phrase (a lot of research).
- 2Object
They appreciate the CEO's support in approving their project.
They appreciate the CEO's support in approving their project.
- "The CEO's support in *approving* their project" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
- Noun (They) + verb (appreciate) + gerund (the CEO's support in *approving* their project).
- 3Object of Preposition
The committee is in favor of approving the new policy.
The committee is in favor of approving the new policy.
- "*Approving* the new policy" is the object of the preposition "in favor of."
- Noun phrase (The committee) + verb (is) + preposition (in favor of) + gerund (*approving* the new policy).
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 approve the proposal after careful consideration.
The team agreed to approve the budget for the project.
The client demanded to approve the final design before proceeding.
I hope to approve the changes to the contract soon.
He wants to approve the purchase of new equipment.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
We recommend approving the candidate for the position.
The board will consider approving the funding for the project.
He avoids approving any proposals without proper evaluation.
The manager decided to delay approving the purchase until next week.
The committee denied approving the request for additional funding.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
They would like to approve the new marketing strategy. They would like approving the new marketing strategy.
She started to approve the documents for the project. She started approving the documents for the project.
We began to approve the applications for the program. We began approving the applications for the program.
