To Communicate vs Communicating 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 communicate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to communicate my ideas effectively.

Communicating (Gerund)

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

Example

Communicating effectively is crucial in business.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To communicate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To communicate is essential in building strong relationships.

  To communicate is essential in building strong relationships.

  • "*To communicate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential in building strong relationships).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to communicate with her more often.

  She wants me to communicate with her more often.

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

  We need a reliable platform to communicate effectively.

  We need a reliable platform to communicate effectively.

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

Communicating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Communicating with empathy can resolve conflicts.

  Communicating with empathy can resolve conflicts.

  • "*Communicating* with empathy" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can) + verb phrase (resolve conflicts).
• 2. Object

  He enjoys communicating with different cultures.

  He enjoys communicating with different cultures.

  • "*Communicating* with different cultures" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*communicating* with different cultures).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for communicating complex ideas.

  She has a talent for communicating complex ideas.

  • "For *communicating* complex ideas" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *communicating* complex ideas).

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

• decide
• attempt
• struggle
• demand
• wish

Example

They decided to communicate their concerns to the management.

He attempted to communicate his point of view during the meeting.

She struggled to communicate in a foreign language.

The customer demanded to communicate with the supervisor.

I wish to communicate my gratitude to everyone involved.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• understand

Example

They enjoy communicating through social media.

Experts recommend communicating openly and honestly.

He avoids communicating through email when misunderstandings can occur.

We are considering communicating our new policies to all employees.

It's important to understand the cultural differences when communicating with people from different backgrounds.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to communicate with her team regularly. She likes communicating with her team regularly.

We began to communicate more effectively after attending the workshop. We began communicating more effectively after attending the workshop.

He continues to communicate his ideas through presentations. He continues communicating his ideas through presentations.