To Convey vs Conveying 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 convey (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to convey my message clearly.

Conveying (Gerund)

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

Example

Conveying emotions through art can be therapeutic.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To convey (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To convey information effectively is essential in business.

  To convey information effectively is essential in business.

  • "*To convey* information effectively" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential in business).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to convey the news to everyone.

  She wants me to convey the news to everyone.

  • "Me *to convey* the news to everyone" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to convey* the news to everyone).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a reliable method to convey our ideas.

  We need a reliable method to convey our ideas.

  • "*To convey* our ideas" modifies the noun "method."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reliable method *to convey* our ideas).

Conveying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Conveying complex ideas requires clear communication skills.

  Conveying complex ideas requires clear communication skills.

  • "*Conveying* complex ideas" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + adjective phrase (clear communication skills).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy conveying my feelings through music.

  I enjoy conveying my feelings through music.

  • "*Conveying* my feelings through music" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*conveying* my feelings through music).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for conveying messages effectively.

  He has a talent for conveying messages effectively.

  • "For *conveying* messages effectively" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *conveying* messages effectively).

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 convey their message through a presentation.

He hopes to convey his gratitude to everyone present.

We want to convey our opinion on this matter.

She decided to convey her thoughts through writing.

They agreed to convey the importance of teamwork.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• mind

Example

She enjoys conveying her ideas through visual arts.

They recommend conveying information concisely.

I avoid conveying negative emotions in my writing.

Can you imagine conveying a message without words?

He doesn't mind conveying his thoughts to a large audience.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to convey my thoughts through storytelling. I like conveying my thoughts through storytelling.

They started to convey their message through social media. They started conveying their message through social media.

She began to convey her emotions through dance. She began conveying her emotions through dance.