To Comply vs Complying 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 comply (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to comply with the rules and regulations.

Complying (Gerund)

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

Example

Complying with the rules is essential.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To comply (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To comply is important in maintaining order and safety.

  To comply is important in maintaining order and safety.

  • "*To comply*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important in maintaining order and safety).
• 2. Object

  She expects us to comply with her instructions.

  She expects us to comply with her instructions.

  • "Us *to comply* with her instructions" is the object of the verb "expects."
  • Noun (She) + verb (expects) + pronoun (us) + infinitive phrase (to comply with her instructions).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  They need a valid reason to comply with the request.

  They need a valid reason to comply with the request.

  • "*To comply* with the request" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a valid reason *to comply* with the request).

Complying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Complying with the regulations ensures a smooth operation.

  Complying with the regulations ensures a smooth operation.

  • "*Complying* with the regulations" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (ensures) + noun phrase (a smooth operation).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy complying with the guidelines.

  I enjoy complying with the guidelines.

  • "*Complying* with the guidelines" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*complying* with the guidelines).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He received a warning for not complying with the regulations.

  He received a warning for not complying with the regulations.

  • "For not *complying* with the regulations" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (received) + noun phrase (a warning for not *complying* with the regulations).

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

He plans to comply with the new policy guidelines.

We hope to comply with all the necessary requirements.

She wants to comply with the contract terms.

They decided to comply with the safety regulations.

We agreed to comply with the company's policies.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider
• resist

Example

They recommend regularly complying with the safety protocols.

She avoids complying with unreasonable requests.

Can you imagine complying with such strict guidelines?

We are considering complying with the new standards.

He resists complying with authority.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to comply with the rules and regulations. I like complying with the rules and regulations.

She started to comply with the company policies. She started complying with the company policies.

They began to comply with the government guidelines. They began complying with the government guidelines.