Help center

To Converge vs Converging Infinitives & Gerunds

📝

Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To converge (Infinitive)

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

Example

We need to converge our ideas to reach a consensus.

Converging (Gerund)

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

Example

Converging different perspectives can lead to innovative solutions.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To converge (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To converge is essential for successful teamwork.

    To converge is essential for successful teamwork.

    • "*To converge*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for successful teamwork).
  • 2Object

    They want us to converge our efforts on this project.

    They want us to converge our efforts on this project.

    • "Us *to converge* our efforts on this project" is the object of the verb "want."
    • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to converge* our efforts on this project).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    We need a meeting room to converge our ideas.

    We need a meeting room to converge our ideas.

    • "*To converge* our ideas" modifies the noun "meeting room."
    • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a meeting room *to converge* our ideas).

Converging (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Converging ideas from various sources is a creative process.

    Converging ideas from various sources is a creative process.

    • "*Converging* ideas from various sources" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a creative process).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy converging my knowledge with others in team meetings.

    I enjoy converging my knowledge with others in team meetings.

    • "*Converging* my knowledge with others in team meetings" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*converging* my knowledge with others in team meetings).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a passion for converging different perspectives.

    She has a passion for converging different perspectives.

    • "For *converging* different perspectives" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *converging* different perspectives).

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

Example

She plans to converge all the data into one report.

They hope to converge their opinions during the discussion.

He wants to converge all the information into a single document.

We decided to converge our strategies for better results.

They agreed to converge their efforts for a common goal.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys converging ideas from different disciplines.

They recommend converging diverse viewpoints for innovation.

I avoid converging conflicting opinions in the initial stages.

Can you imagine the possibilities of converging technology and art?

Let's discuss the benefits of converging our efforts.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

We would like to converge our thoughts on this matter. We would like converging our thoughts on this matter.

Let's start to converge our strategies for the upcoming project. Let's start converging our strategies for the upcoming project.

He began to converge his research findings into a comprehensive report. He began converging his research findings into a comprehensive report.

This content was generated with the assistance of AI technology based on RedKiwi's unique learning data. By utilizing automated AI content, we can quickly deliver a wide range of highly accurate content to users. Experience the benefits of AI by having your questions answered and receiving reliable information!