To Confer vs Conferring 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 confer (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to confer with my team before making a decision.

Conferring (Gerund)

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

Example

Conferring with others can lead to better understanding and collaboration.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To confer (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To confer is an essential part of effective communication in the workplace.

  To confer is an essential part of effective communication in the workplace.

  • "*To confer*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential part of effective communication in the workplace).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to confer with the clients.

  She wants me to confer with the clients.

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

  I need a quiet room to confer with my colleagues.

  I need a quiet room to confer with my colleagues.

  • "*To confer* with my colleagues" modifies the noun "room."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a quiet room *to confer* with my colleagues).

Conferring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Conferring with colleagues is important for problem-solving.

  Conferring with colleagues is important for problem-solving.

  • "*Conferring*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important for problem-solving).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy conferring with experts in my field.

  I enjoy conferring with experts in my field.

  • "*Conferring* with experts in my field" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*conferring* with experts in my field).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for conferring with like-minded individuals.

  She has a passion for conferring with like-minded individuals.

  • "For *conferring*" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *conferring* with like-minded individuals).

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

She plans to confer with the experts tomorrow.

They hope to confer with the manager about the project.

He wants to confer with the team leader.

We decided to confer with the stakeholders before finalizing the decision.

They agreed to confer with each other before the meeting.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider
• suggest

Example

They recommend regular conferring for effective teamwork.

He avoids conferring with negative people.

Can you imagine yourself conferring with renowned experts?

We are considering conferring with external consultants for fresh insights.

They suggest conferring with the team members for input.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to confer with her mentors. She likes conferring with her mentors.

We started to confer regularly. We started conferring regularly.

He began to confer with his colleagues every morning. He began conferring with his colleagues every morning.