To Attribute vs Attributing 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 attribute (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to attribute my success to hard work and determination.

Attributing (Gerund)

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

Example

Attributing the success to teamwork is essential for building a strong organization.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To attribute (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To attribute is an important aspect of critical thinking.

  To attribute is an important aspect of critical thinking.

  • "*To attribute*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important aspect of critical thinking).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to attribute the project's success to her.

  She wants me to attribute the project's success to her.

  • "Me *to attribute* the project's success to her" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to attribute* the project's success to her).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a valid reason to attribute the mistake to him.

  I need a valid reason to attribute the mistake to him.

  • "*To attribute* the mistake to him" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a valid reason *to attribute* the mistake to him).

Attributing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Attributing the victory to their hard work was a wise decision.

  Attributing the victory to their hard work was a wise decision.

  • "*Attributing* the victory to their hard work" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (a wise decision).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy attributing my achievements to my perseverance.

  I enjoy attributing my achievements to my perseverance.

  • "*Attributing* my achievements to my perseverance" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*attributing* my achievements to my perseverance).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for attributing success to the right people.

  She has a talent for attributing success to the right people.

  • "For *attributing* success to the right people" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *attributing* success to the right people).

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

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

She plans to attribute her achievements to hard work.

They hope to attribute their progress to effective strategies.

He wants to attribute the discovery to his team.

We decided to attribute the problem to a technical glitch.

They agreed to attribute the failure to poor communication.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys attributing her accomplishments to hard work.

They recommend attributing the positive outcomes to effective strategies.

I dislike the idea of attributing failure to external factors.

He avoids attributing mistakes to specific individuals.

Can you imagine yourself attributing your success to luck?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to attribute her achievements to dedication. She likes attributing her achievements to dedication.

We started to attribute our progress to effective planning. We started attributing our progress to effective planning.

He began to attribute his success to the support of his team. He began attributing his success to the support of his team.