To Coerce vs Coercing 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 coerce (Infinitive)

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

Example

He tried to coerce her into signing the contract.

Coercing (Gerund)

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

Example

Coercing others is not a respectful way to achieve cooperation.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To coerce (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To coerce is unethical and manipulative.

  To coerce is unethical and manipulative.

  • "*To coerce*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (unethical and manipulative).
• 2. Object

  They want him to coerce the witness.

  They want him to coerce the witness.

  • "Him *to coerce* the witness" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (him *to coerce* the witness).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  She needs a strategy to coerce compliance.

  She needs a strategy to coerce compliance.

  • "*To coerce* compliance" modifies the noun "strategy."
  • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a strategy *to coerce* compliance).

Coercing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Coercing people can lead to resistance and resentment.

  Coercing people can lead to resistance and resentment.

  • "*Coercing* people" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead) + noun phrase (to resistance and resentment).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy coercing my opponents into submission.

  I enjoy coercing my opponents into submission.

  • "*Coercing* my opponents into submission" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*coercing* my opponents into submission).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He was accused of coercing witnesses.

  He was accused of coercing witnesses.

  • "*Coercing* witnesses" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (was accused) + preposition (of) + gerund (*coercing* witnesses).

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
• refuse
• pretend
• demand
• wish

Example

He plans to coerce her into confessing.

They refused to coerce their employees into working overtime.

She pretended to coerce him into revealing the secret.

He demanded to coerce the suspect into cooperating.

They wished to coerce him into changing his mind.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• delay

Example

She avoids coercing others to get her way.

They are considering coercing their rivals to gain an advantage.

Experts recommend against coercing children into certain career paths.

I don't mind coercing if it's for a good cause.

He delayed coercing the employees until they had more information.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to coerce people into doing what she wants. She likes coercing people into doing what she wants.

He started to coerce his opponents during the debate. He started coercing his opponents during the debate.

They began to coerce the witnesses into changing their testimonies. They began coercing the witnesses into changing their testimonies.