To Backfill vs Backfilling 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 backfill (Infinitive)

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

Example

The construction workers need to backfill the trench after laying the pipes.

Backfilling (Gerund)

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

Example

Backfilling is necessary to ensure stability in construction projects.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To backfill (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To backfill is an important step in the construction process.

  To backfill is an important step in the construction process.

  • "*To backfill*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in the construction process).
• 2. Object

  We hired a team to backfill the excavation site.

  We hired a team to backfill the excavation site.

  • "A team *to backfill* the excavation site" is the object of the verb "hired."
  • Noun (We) + verb (hired) + noun phrase (a team *to backfill* the excavation site).
• 3. Adverb Modifier

  He quickly moved to backfill the hole.

  He quickly moved to backfill the hole.

  • "Moved *to backfill* the hole" modifies the verb "moved."
  • Noun (He) + adverb (quickly) + verb (moved *to backfill* the hole).

Backfilling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Backfilling requires careful planning and execution.

  Backfilling requires careful planning and execution.

  • "*Backfilling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful planning and execution).
• 2. Object

  We hired a professional company for backfilling the foundation.

  We hired a professional company for backfilling the foundation.

  • "A professional company for *backfilling* the foundation" is the object of the verb "hired."
  • Noun (We) + verb (hired) + noun phrase (a professional company for *backfilling* the foundation).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They discussed the importance of backfilling in construction projects.

  They discussed the importance of backfilling in construction projects.

  • "The importance of *backfilling* in construction projects" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (discussed) + noun phrase (the importance of *backfilling* in construction 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

• plan
• refuse
• attempt
• wish
• determine

Example

They plan to backfill the area next week.

She refused to backfill the trench without proper equipment.

He attempted to backfill the hole by himself.

I wish to backfill the area before it rains.

We determined to backfill the excavation site tomorrow.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• recommend
• avoid
• delay
• imagine

Example

We are considering backfilling the area with gravel.

The architect recommends backfilling the foundation with compacted soil.

It is important to avoid backfilling with unsuitable materials.

They decided to delay backfilling until the concrete has cured.

Can you imagine the consequences of not backfilling properly?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

They would like to backfill the trench immediately. They would like backfilling to be done as soon as possible.

We began to backfill the excavation site yesterday. We began backfilling the excavation site yesterday.

He will continue to backfill until the trench is completely filled. He will continue backfilling until the trench is completely filled.