To Classify vs Classifying 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 classify (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to classify these documents for easy retrieval.

Classifying (Gerund)

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

Example

Classifying objects can be a challenging task.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To classify (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To classify is an important step in organizing data.

  To classify is an important step in organizing data.

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

  She asked me to classify the files according to their content.

  She asked me to classify the files according to their content.

  • "Me *to classify* the files according to their content" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to classify* the files according to their content).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a system to classify the products based on their size.

  We need a system to classify the products based on their size.

  • "*To classify* the products based on their size" modifies the noun "system."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a system *to classify* the products based on their size).

Classifying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Classifying different species is the main focus of biology.

  Classifying different species is the main focus of biology.

  • "*Classifying*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the main focus of biology).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy classifying insects based on their characteristics.

  I enjoy classifying insects based on their characteristics.

  • "*Classifying* insects based on their characteristics" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*classifying* insects based on their characteristics).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a talent for classifying information effectively.

  They have a talent for classifying information effectively.

  • "For *classifying* information effectively" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a talent for *classifying* information effectively).

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
• decide
• refuse
• want
• choose

Example

They plan to classify the data before analyzing it.

I decided to classify the documents alphabetically.

He refused to classify the items without proper instructions.

She wants me to classify the books by genre.

We chose to classify the plants according to their species.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

She enjoys classifying photographs based on their themes.

Experts recommend classifying data before analyzing it.

He avoids classifying items without proper labeling.

We are considering classifying the documents by date.

Can you imagine yourself classifying artifacts in a museum?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to classify objects according to their color. They like classifying objects according to their color.

We started to classify the data for analysis. We started classifying the data for analysis.

He began to classify the documents by category. He began classifying the documents by category.