To Collaborate vs Collaborating 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 collaborate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to collaborate with other researchers on this project.

Collaborating (Gerund)

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

Example

Collaborating with others can lead to innovative solutions.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To collaborate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To collaborate is essential for the success of any team.

  To collaborate is essential for the success of any team.

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

  She wants me to collaborate with her on the presentation.

  She wants me to collaborate with her on the presentation.

  • "Me *to collaborate* with her on the presentation" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to collaborate* with her on the presentation).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a reliable platform to collaborate effectively.

  We need a reliable platform to collaborate effectively.

  • "*To collaborate* effectively" modifies the noun "platform."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reliable platform *to collaborate* effectively).

Collaborating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Collaborating with colleagues is a key aspect of my job.

  Collaborating with colleagues is a key aspect of my job.

  • "*Collaborating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a key aspect of my job).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy collaborating with my teammates on projects.

  I enjoy collaborating with my teammates on projects.

  • "*Collaborating* with my teammates on projects" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*collaborating* with my teammates on projects).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for collaborating with diverse groups.

  She has a talent for collaborating with diverse groups.

  • "For *collaborating* with diverse groups" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *collaborating* with diverse groups).

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 collaborate on a new research project.

I hope to collaborate with experts in the field.

He wants to collaborate with international partners.

We decided to collaborate on the proposal together.

They agreed to collaborate on the development of the software.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy collaborating with other artists on creative projects.

Experts recommend regular collaborating for professional growth.

I dislike the idea of collaborating with unreliable individuals.

He avoids collaborating with people who have different values.

Can you imagine yourself collaborating with renowned scientists?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to collaborate with her team members. She likes collaborating with her team members.

We started to collaborate on this project. We started collaborating on this project.

He began to collaborate with industry experts. He began collaborating with industry experts.