To Convene vs Convening 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 convene (Infinitive)

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

Example

The committee decided to convene a meeting to discuss the new proposal.

Convening (Gerund)

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

Example

Convening meetings is one of her responsibilities as the team leader.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To convene (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To convene a meeting is the first step in the decision-making process.

  To convene a meeting is the first step in the decision-making process.

  • "*To convene* a meeting" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the first step in the decision-making process).
• 2. Object

  They asked him to convene a special session of the board.

  They asked him to convene a special session of the board.

  • "Him *to convene* a special session of the board" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (They) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to convene* a special session of the board).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a suitable venue to convene the conference.

  We need a suitable venue to convene the conference.

  • "*To convene* the conference" modifies the noun "venue."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a suitable venue *to convene* the conference).

Convening (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Convening regular meetings is essential for effective communication.

  Convening regular meetings is essential for effective communication.

  • "*Convening* regular meetings" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for effective communication).
• 2. Object

  He enjoys convening gatherings of like-minded individuals.

  He enjoys convening gatherings of like-minded individuals.

  • "*Convening* gatherings of like-minded individuals" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*convening* gatherings of like-minded individuals).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They discussed the importance of convening meetings regularly.

  They discussed the importance of convening meetings regularly.

  • "The importance of *convening* meetings regularly" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (discussed) + noun phrase (the importance of *convening* meetings regularly).

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 convene a meeting next week.

I hope to convene a gathering of experts.

She wants to convene a brainstorming session.

We decided to convene a summit to address the issue.

They agreed to convene a working group to study the problem.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider
• mind

Example

She recommends convening a conference to address the issue.

They avoid convening unnecessary meetings.

Can you imagine convening a global summit on climate change?

We are considering convening a panel discussion on the topic.

I don't mind convening the meeting tomorrow.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He likes to convene meetings early in the morning. He likes convening meetings early in the morning.

We started to convene weekly meetings. We started convening weekly meetings.

She began to convene virtual conferences. She began convening virtual conferences.