To Contact vs Contacting 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 contact (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to contact the customer service department for assistance.

Contacting (Gerund)

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

Example

Contacting the support team is the best way to get help.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To contact (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To contact them is the first step in resolving the issue.

  To contact them is the first step in resolving the issue.

  • "*To contact* them" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the first step in resolving the issue).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to contact her as soon as possible.

  She wants me to contact her as soon as possible.

  • "Me *to contact* her as soon as possible" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to contact* her as soon as possible).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a phone to contact my friends.

  I need a phone to contact my friends.

  • "*To contact* my friends" modifies the noun "phone."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a phone *to contact* my friends).

Contacting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Contacting them can lead to a quick resolution.

  Contacting them can lead to a quick resolution.

  • "*Contacting* them" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead) + noun phrase (a quick resolution).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy contacting new people and making connections.

  I enjoy contacting new people and making connections.

  • "*Contacting* new people and making connections" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*contacting* new people and making connections).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for contacting potential clients.

  She has a talent for contacting potential clients.

  • "For *contacting* potential clients" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *contacting* potential clients).

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

• agree
• plan
• refuse
• hope
• decide

Example

They agreed to contact the supplier for a refund.

We plan to contact the insurance company for a quote.

He refused to contact his ex-girlfriend.

She hopes to contact the author for an interview.

I decided to contact the landlord about the maintenance issue.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• mind
• imagine

Example

They recommend contacting customer support for assistance.

I avoid contacting him because he never responds.

We are considering contacting a lawyer for legal advice.

Do you mind contacting the organizers to confirm the details?

Can you imagine contacting your favorite celebrity and getting a response?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to contact you regarding the job opportunity. I would like contacting you regarding the job opportunity.

They started to contact potential clients for their new business. They started contacting potential clients for their new business.

He began to contact suppliers for price quotations. He began contacting suppliers for price quotations.