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)
- 1Subject
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).
- 2Object
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).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a platform to collaborate effectively.
We need a platform to collaborate effectively.
- "*To collaborate* effectively" modifies the noun "platform."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to collaborate* effectively).
Collaborating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Collaborating with different teams is an integral part of project management.
Collaborating with different teams is an integral part of project management.
- "*Collaborating* with different teams" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an integral part of project management).
- 2Object
We enjoy collaborating with our clients to achieve their goals.
We enjoy collaborating with our clients to achieve their goals.
- "*Collaborating* with our clients to achieve their goals" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (We) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*collaborating* with our clients to achieve their goals).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a passion for collaborating on creative projects.
He has a passion for collaborating on creative projects.
- "For *collaborating* on creative projects" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *collaborating* on creative projects).
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
Example
They agreed to collaborate on the research project.
We plan to collaborate with other departments on this initiative.
He hopes to collaborate with renowned scientists in the future.
She wants to collaborate with you on the new design.
I decided to collaborate with him on the book.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys collaborating with her colleagues on research papers.
They recommend regular collaborating for successful teamwork.
He avoids collaborating with unreliable partners.
We are considering collaborating with industry experts for our next project.
Do you mind collaborating with new team members?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
They like to collaborate on challenging projects. They like collaborating on challenging projects.
We started to collaborate last year. We started collaborating last year.
He began to collaborate with international partners. He began collaborating with international partners.
