To Catalyze vs Catalyzing 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 catalyze (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to catalyze positive change in my community.

Catalyzing (Gerund)

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

Example

Catalyzing innovation is crucial for success in today's market.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To catalyze (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To catalyze change is our main goal.

  To catalyze change is our main goal.

  • "*To catalyze* change" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (our main goal).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to catalyze the project.

  She wants me to catalyze the project.

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

  We need a leader to catalyze innovation.

  We need a leader to catalyze innovation.

  • "*To catalyze* innovation" modifies the noun "leader."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a leader *to catalyze* innovation).

Catalyzing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Catalyzing change requires determination and creativity.

  Catalyzing change requires determination and creativity.

  • "*Catalyzing* change" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (determination and creativity).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy catalyzing collaboration between teams.

  I enjoy catalyzing collaboration between teams.

  • "*Catalyzing* collaboration between teams" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*catalyzing* collaboration between teams).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for catalyzing positive change.

  She has a talent for catalyzing positive change.

  • "For *catalyzing* positive change" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *catalyzing* positive change).

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

They plan to catalyze positive change in their organization.

I hope to catalyze a movement for social justice.

He wants to catalyze progress in the industry.

We decided to catalyze growth through strategic partnerships.

They agreed to catalyze transformational change together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• imagine
• resist

Example

Experts recommend catalyzing innovation through cross-functional teams.

They are considering catalyzing growth by entering new markets.

We should avoid catalyzing conflict in the workplace.

Can you imagine catalyzing change on a global scale?

He resists catalyzing change due to fear of the unknown.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to catalyze positive change in my community. I like catalyzing positive change in my community.

She started to catalyze transformational change in her organization. She started catalyzing transformational change in her organization.

They began to catalyze innovation in their industry. They began catalyzing innovation in their industry.