To Attach vs Attaching 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 attach (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to attach the document to the email.

Attaching (Gerund)

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

Example

Attaching the file is necessary for the task.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To attach (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To attach the file is easy.

  To attach the file is easy.

  • "*To attach* the file" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (easy).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to attach the picture to the presentation.

  She wants me to attach the picture to the presentation.

  • "Me *to attach* the picture to the presentation" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to attach* the picture to the presentation).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a paperclip to attach the papers together.

  I need a paperclip to attach the papers together.

  • "*To attach* the papers together" modifies the noun "paperclip."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a paperclip *to attach* the papers together).

Attaching (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Attaching the document requires a paperclip.

  Attaching the document requires a paperclip.

  • "*Attaching* the document" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (a paperclip).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy attaching photos to my emails.

  I enjoy attaching photos to my emails.

  • "*Attaching* photos to my emails" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*attaching* photos to my emails).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for attaching things together.

  He has a talent for attaching things together.

  • "For *attaching* things together" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *attaching* things together).

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
• offer
• plan
• hope
• want

Example

We decided to attach the file before sending it.

They offered to attach the document for me.

She plans to attach the photo to the application.

I hope to attach the receipt to the expense report.

He wants to attach the video to the presentation.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider
• mind

Example

They recommend attaching the cover letter to the application.

I avoid attaching large files to my emails.

Can you imagine attaching the wrong document by mistake?

She is considering attaching additional information to the report.

Do you mind attaching the file to the message?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• help

Example

I would like to attach the file to the folder. I would like attaching the file to the folder.

We began to attach the photos to the album. We began attaching the photos to the album.

He helped me to attach the document to the email. He helped me attaching the document to the email.