To Consult vs Consulting 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 consult (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to consult with a doctor before making a decision.

Consulting (Gerund)

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

Example

Consulting professionals can provide valuable insights.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To consult (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To consult is essential for making informed choices.

  To consult is essential for making informed choices.

  • "*To consult*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for making informed choices).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to consult with her before finalizing the plan.

  She wants me to consult with her before finalizing the plan.

  • "Me *to consult* with her before finalizing the plan" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to consult* with her before finalizing the plan).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a specialist to consult about our project.

  We need a specialist to consult about our project.

  • "*To consult* about our project" modifies the noun "specialist."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a specialist *to consult* about our project).

Consulting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Consulting professionals is crucial for business success.

  Consulting professionals is crucial for business success.

  • "*Consulting* professionals" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (crucial for business success).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy consulting with experts in my field.

  I enjoy consulting with experts in my field.

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

  He has a passion for consulting on complex projects.

  He has a passion for consulting on complex projects.

  • "For *consulting* on complex projects" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *consulting* on complex projects).

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 consult with his team before making any decisions.

They hope to consult a lawyer for legal advice.

She wants to consult with an expert in the field.

We decided to consult a financial advisor for investment guidance.

They agreed to consult with their parents before making a major decision.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• mind
• imagine

Example

They recommend regularly consulting with industry experts.

She avoids consulting unreliable sources for information.

We are considering consulting a career counselor for guidance.

He doesn't mind consulting with colleagues for input.

Can you imagine yourself consulting on important projects?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to consult multiple sources before making a decision. She likes consulting multiple sources before making a decision.

We started to consult a financial advisor for investment advice. We started consulting a financial advisor for investment advice.

He began to consult with a therapist for personal growth. He began consulting with a therapist for personal growth.