To Champion vs Championing 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 champion (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to champion this cause and make a difference.

Championing (Gerund)

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

Example

Championing human rights is a noble pursuit.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To champion (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To champion is an important role in advocating for change.

  To champion is an important role in advocating for change.

  • "*To champion*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important role in advocating for change).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to champion her ideas.

  She wants me to champion her ideas.

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

  I need a leader to champion this cause.

  I need a leader to champion this cause.

  • "*To champion* this cause" modifies the noun "leader."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a leader *to champion* this cause).

Championing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Championing equal opportunities is essential for a fair society.

  Championing equal opportunities is essential for a fair society.

  • "*Championing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for a fair society).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy championing causes that promote social justice.

  I enjoy championing causes that promote social justice.

  • "*Championing* causes that promote social justice" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*championing* causes that promote social justice).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for championing the rights of the oppressed.

  She has a passion for championing the rights of the oppressed.

  • "For *championing* the rights of the oppressed" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *championing* the rights of the oppressed).

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 champion the rights of marginalized communities.

They hope to champion equality and inclusivity in their organization.

He wants to champion environmental sustainability.

We decided to champion social justice issues.

They agreed to champion the cause of education for all.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys championing the interests of underprivileged communities.

They recommend championing diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

I dislike the idea of championing harmful ideologies.

He avoids championing divisive policies.

Can you imagine yourself championing animal rights?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to champion social causes. She likes championing social causes.

We started to champion gender equality. We started championing gender equality.

He began to champion human rights. He began championing human rights.