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

They refused to coerce him into making a decision.

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 ethical.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To coerce (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To coerce is not an effective way to get someone to cooperate.

  To coerce is not an effective way to get someone to cooperate.

  • "*To coerce*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not an effective way to get someone to cooperate).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to coerce him into signing the contract.

  She wants me to coerce him into signing the contract.

  • "Me *to coerce* him into signing the contract" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to coerce* him into signing the contract).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a strong argument to coerce them into agreeing.

  I need a strong argument to coerce them into agreeing.

  • "*To coerce* them into agreeing" modifies the noun "argument."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong argument *to coerce* them into agreeing).

Coercing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Coercing people is against the law.

  Coercing people is against the law.

  • "*Coercing* people" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (against the law).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy coercing my opponents in debates.

  I enjoy coercing my opponents in debates.

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

  She has a talent for coercing others into compliance.

  She has a talent for coercing others into compliance.

  • "For *coercing* others into compliance" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *coercing* others into compliance).

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 coerce him into confessing his crimes.

They hope to coerce the witness into testifying.

He wants to coerce her into changing her mind.

We decided to coerce them into taking action.

They agreed to coerce the suspect into revealing the truth.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• resist
• recommend
• imagine
• understand

Example

He avoids coercing people into doing things against their will.

She resists the temptation of coercing others for personal gain.

They recommend against coercing employees to work overtime.

Can you imagine yourself coercing someone to do something illegal?

I understand the consequences of coercing others into making choices.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to coerce people into following her instructions. She likes coercing people into following her instructions.

We started to coerce him into revealing the truth. We started coercing him into revealing the truth.

He began to coerce them into cooperating. He began coercing them into cooperating.