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 dedication.

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 problem to a single cause is oversimplification.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To attribute (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To attribute is an important skill in research.

  To attribute is an important skill in research.

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

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

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

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

  I need a tool to attribute the source of the problem.

  I need a tool to attribute the source of the problem.

  • "*To attribute* the source of the problem" modifies the noun "tool."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a tool *to attribute* the source of the problem).

Attributing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Attributing blame can lead to conflict.

  Attributing blame can lead to conflict.

  • "*Attributing* blame" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead) + noun phrase (conflict).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy attributing success to hard work.

  I enjoy attributing success to hard work.

  • "*Attributing* success to hard work" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*attributing* success to hard work).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for attributing motives to people.

  She has a talent for attributing motives to people.

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

• decide
• hope
• want
• determine
• learn

Example

We decided to attribute the achievement to teamwork.

They hope to attribute their findings to groundbreaking research.

He wants to attribute his success to perseverance.

Scientists are trying to determine how to attribute the changes in climate.

She learned to attribute her mistakes to lack of preparation.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine
• understand

Example

Experts recommend attributing success to teamwork.

They avoid attributing failure to external factors.

We should consider attributing the problem to a lack of communication.

Can you imagine attributing the artwork to an unknown artist?

It's important to understand the importance of attributing credit where it's due.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I like to attribute my achievements to hard work. I like attributing my achievements to hard work.

She began to attribute her success to perseverance. She began attributing her success to perseverance.

They continue to attribute their success to teamwork. They continue attributing their success to teamwork.