To Coalesce vs Coalescing 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 coalesce (Infinitive)

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

Example

The two groups decided to coalesce and form a unified front.

Coalescing (Gerund)

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

Example

Coalescing with other organizations can lead to greater impact.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To coalesce (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To coalesce is essential for the success of this project.

  To coalesce is essential for the success of this project.

  • "*To coalesce*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for the success of this project).
• 2. Object

  They want us to coalesce our efforts.

  They want us to coalesce our efforts.

  • "Us *to coalesce* our efforts" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to coalesce* our efforts).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a strong leader to coalesce the team.

  We need a strong leader to coalesce the team.

  • "*To coalesce* the team" modifies the noun "leader."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong leader *to coalesce* the team).

Coalescing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Coalescing is a strategic move for the company.

  Coalescing is a strategic move for the company.

  • "*Coalescing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a strategic move for the company).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys coalescing ideas from different sources.

  She enjoys coalescing ideas from different sources.

  • "*Coalescing* ideas from different sources" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*coalescing* ideas from different sources).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are in favor of coalescing their efforts.

  They are in favor of coalescing their efforts.

  • "*Coalescing* their efforts" is the object of the preposition "in favor of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are) + preposition (in favor of) + gerund (*coalescing* their efforts).

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
• decide
• agree
• determine

Example

They plan to coalesce their resources for the project.

I hope to coalesce with other like-minded individuals.

We decided to coalesce our efforts to achieve our goals.

The two parties agreed to coalesce and work together.

He determined to coalesce the different departments into one unit.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• mind
• discuss

Example

Experts recommend coalescing various perspectives for a comprehensive solution.

She avoids coalescing with organizations that have conflicting values.

They are considering coalescing their resources for a joint project.

Do you mind coalescing your ideas with others?

Let's discuss the possibility of coalescing our efforts.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

We would like to coalesce our teams for better collaboration. We would like coalescing our teams for better collaboration.

They started to coalesce their efforts after realizing the benefits. They started coalescing their efforts after realizing the benefits.

He began to coalesce different departments into one cohesive unit. He began coalescing different departments into one cohesive unit.