To Codify vs Codifying 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 codify (Infinitive)

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

Example

The company plans to codify its policies and procedures.

Codifying (Gerund)

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

Example

Codifying the rules will ensure consistency.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To codify (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To codify is a necessary step in creating a standardized system.

  To codify is a necessary step in creating a standardized system.

  • "*To codify*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a necessary step in creating a standardized system).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to codify the documents for the project.

  She wants me to codify the documents for the project.

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

  We need a software to codify our data.

  We need a software to codify our data.

  • "*To codify* our data" modifies the noun "software."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a software *to codify* our data).

Codifying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Codifying the guidelines is essential for clarity.

  Codifying the guidelines is essential for clarity.

  • "*Codifying* the guidelines" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for clarity).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy codifying complex information into simple terms.

  I enjoy codifying complex information into simple terms.

  • "*Codifying* complex information into simple terms" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*codifying* complex information into simple terms).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for codifying legal documents.

  She has a talent for codifying legal documents.

  • "For *codifying* legal documents" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *codifying* legal documents).

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 codify their business processes.

I hope to codify this information into a comprehensive guide.

He wants to codify his knowledge in a written form.

We decided to codify our findings in a report.

They agreed to codify the new regulations.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• imagine
• discuss

Example

Experts recommend codifying the company's best practices.

We are considering codifying the new policies.

They avoid codifying information without proper research.

Can you imagine yourself codifying the entire library collection?

Let's discuss the benefits of codifying our internal processes.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to codify complex concepts into simple frameworks. She likes codifying complex concepts into simple frameworks.

They started to codify their policies and procedures last year. They started codifying their policies and procedures last year.

He began to codify the company's standards and regulations. He began codifying the company's standards and regulations.