To Avail vs Availing 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 avail (Infinitive)

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

Example

I hope to avail myself of this opportunity to learn new skills.

Availing (Gerund)

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

Example

Availing oneself of the available resources is crucial for success.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To avail (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To avail oneself of the resources is essential for success.

  To avail oneself of the resources is essential for success.

  • "*To avail* oneself of the resources" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for success).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to avail myself of the training program.

  She wants me to avail myself of the training program.

  • "Me *to avail* myself of the training program" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to avail* myself of the training program).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a reliable tool to avail myself of in my work.

  I need a reliable tool to avail myself of in my work.

  • "*To avail* myself of in my work" modifies the noun "tool."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reliable tool *to avail* myself of in my work).

Availing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Availing oneself of the opportunities is important for personal growth.

  Availing oneself of the opportunities is important for personal growth.

  • "*Availing* oneself of the opportunities" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important for personal growth).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy availing myself of the benefits offered by the company.

  I enjoy availing myself of the benefits offered by the company.

  • "*Availing* myself of the benefits offered by the company" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*availing* myself of the benefits offered by the company).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of availing herself of every opportunity.

  She has a habit of availing herself of every opportunity.

  • "Of *availing* herself of every opportunity" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *availing* herself of every opportunity).

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
• want
• decide
• choose
• demand

Example

She plans to avail herself of the resources for her project.

They want to avail themselves of the discounts during the sale.

He decided to avail himself of the opportunity to travel abroad.

We chose to avail ourselves of the free trial period before subscribing.

The customers demand to avail themselves of better customer service.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• understand

Example

He enjoys availing himself of the discounts during the holiday season.

They recommend regularly availing themselves of the company's training programs.

I am considering availing myself of the scholarship opportunity.

She avoids availing herself of unnecessary expenses.

Can you understand the importance of availing yourself of this opportunity?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to avail herself of the new technology. She likes availing herself of the latest gadgets.

We started to avail ourselves of the online resources. We started availing ourselves of the online tutorials.

He began to avail himself of the networking opportunities. He began availing himself of the networking events.