To Compel vs Compelling 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 compel (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to compel them to reconsider their decision.

Compelling (Gerund)

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

Example

Compelling others to take action requires strong persuasion skills.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To compel (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To compel is not always the best approach in influencing others.

  To compel is not always the best approach in influencing others.

  • "*To compel*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not always the best approach in influencing others).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to compel them to change their minds.

  She wants me to compel them to change their minds.

  • "Me *to compel* them to change their minds" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to compel* them to change their minds).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a strong argument to compel their attention.

  We need a strong argument to compel their attention.

  • "*To compel* their attention" modifies the noun "argument."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong argument *to compel* their attention).

Compelling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Compelling people to listen can be challenging.

  Compelling people to listen can be challenging.

  • "*Compelling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (challenging).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy compelling audiences with my storytelling.

  I enjoy compelling audiences with my storytelling.

  • "*Compelling* audiences with my storytelling" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*compelling* audiences with my storytelling).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for compelling others to take action.

  She has a talent for compelling others to take action.

  • "For *compelling* others to take action" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *compelling* others to take action).

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 compel him to apologize for his actions.

She hopes to compel the jury to reach a fair verdict.

He wants to compel her to change her mind.

We decided to compel them to take action.

They agreed to compel the government to address the issue.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys compelling people to think differently.

They recommend compelling evidence to support your claims.

I dislike the idea of compelling someone against their will.

She avoids compelling others through manipulation.

Can you imagine yourself compelling a large audience with your speech?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to compel obedience from their subordinates. They like compelling obedience from their subordinates.

He started to compel their attention with a captivating opening. He started compelling their attention with a captivating opening.

She began to compel change within the organization. She began compelling change within the organization.