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
I want to approve the project proposal.
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 is a crucial step in the decision-making process.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To approve (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To approve is his responsibility as the manager.
To approve is his responsibility as the manager.
- "*To approve*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his responsibility as the manager).
- 2Object
She wants me to approve the budget plan.
She wants me to approve the budget plan.
- "Me *to approve* the budget plan" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to approve* the budget plan).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a committee to approve the final design.
We need a committee to approve the final design.
- "*To approve* the final design" modifies the noun "committee."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a committee *to approve* the final design).
Approving (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Approving the budget is his responsibility as the CFO.
Approving the budget is his responsibility as the CFO.
- "*Approving* the budget" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his responsibility as the CFO).
- 2Object
I enjoy approving new ideas and initiatives.
I enjoy approving new ideas and initiatives.
- "*Approving* new ideas and initiatives" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*approving* new ideas and initiatives).
- 3Object of Preposition
They have a knack for approving innovative projects.
They have a knack for approving innovative projects.
- "For *approving* innovative projects" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a knack for *approving* innovative projects).
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 plan to approve the changes in the policy next month.
He hopes to approve the new product launch strategy.
We want to approve the purchase of new equipment.
She decided to approve the request for additional funding.
They agreed to approve the merger between the two companies.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys approving the final drafts of the documents.
She recommends approving the proposal without any further delay.
I dislike the idea of approving such a risky venture.
They avoid approving projects with insufficient resources.
Can you imagine yourself approving the controversial decision?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
We would like to approve the budget plan. We would like approving the budget plan.
She started to approve the new policies. She started approving the new policies.
He began to approve the construction project. He began approving the construction project.
