To Commemorate vs Commemorating 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 commemorate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to commemorate this special occasion with a ceremony.

Commemorating (Gerund)

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

Example

Commemorating their accomplishments is a way to honor their hard work.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To commemorate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To commemorate is an important way to remember significant events.

  To commemorate is an important way to remember significant events.

  • "*To commemorate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important way to remember significant events).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to commemorate her achievements.

  She wants me to commemorate her achievements.

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

  We need a monument to commemorate their sacrifices.

  We need a monument to commemorate their sacrifices.

  • "*To commemorate* their sacrifices" modifies the noun "monument."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a monument *to commemorate* their sacrifices).

Commemorating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Commemorating their achievements is important to me.

  Commemorating their achievements is important to me.

  • "*Commemorating* their achievements" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important to me).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy commemorating their contributions through art.

  I enjoy commemorating their contributions through art.

  • "*Commemorating* their contributions through art" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*commemorating* their contributions through art).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for commemorating historical events.

  She has a passion for commemorating historical events.

  • "For *commemorating* historical events" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *commemorating* historical events).

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 commemorate the anniversary with a special event.

I hope to commemorate their legacy through this project.

He wants to commemorate their memory with a memorial.

We decided to commemorate their bravery with a plaque.

They agreed to commemorate their achievements in a ceremony.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

They enjoy commemorating important dates with ceremonies.

I recommend commemorating their achievements with a tribute.

He avoids commemorating their mistakes in public.

She considers commemorating their legacy a responsibility.

Can you imagine commemorating their accomplishments in a book?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to commemorate this event with a special ceremony. I would like commemorating their achievements through art.

We started to commemorate their memory by planting trees. We started commemorating their contributions through a series of events.

He began to commemorate their legacy with a yearly award. He began commemorating their accomplishments with an annual ceremony.