To Convince vs Convincing 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 convince (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to convince my parents to let me go on the trip.

Convincing (Gerund)

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

Example

Convincing others requires strong arguments and evidence.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To convince (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To convince is not an easy task.

  To convince is not an easy task.

  • "*To convince*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not an easy task).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to convince her boss to give her a raise.

  She wants me to convince her boss to give her a raise.

  • "Me *to convince* her boss to give her a raise" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to convince* her boss to give her a raise).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a persuasive argument to convince the committee.

  We need a persuasive argument to convince the committee.

  • "*To convince* the committee" modifies the noun "argument."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a persuasive argument *to convince* the committee).

Convincing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Convincing people can be challenging.

  Convincing people can be challenging.

  • "*Convincing* people" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (challenging).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy convincing others to try new things.

  I enjoy convincing others to try new things.

  • "*Convincing* others to try new things" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*convincing* others to try new things).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for convincing people of her point of view.

  She has a talent for convincing people of her point of view.

  • "For *convincing* people of her point of view" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *convincing* people of her point of view).

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

• hope
• attempt
• refuse
• wish
• demand

Example

They hope to convince their friends to join the club.

He attempted to convince the jury of his innocence.

She refused to convince her parents to buy her a car.

We wish to convince the board to approve our proposal.

They demanded to convince the audience with their performance.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• mind
• imagine
• understand

Example

He avoids convincing others to do things against their will.

They recommend convincing customers through effective marketing strategies.

Do you mind convincing your colleagues to stay late for the meeting?

I can't imagine convincing them to change their minds.

We understand the importance of convincing stakeholders for project success.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• try
• help
• regret

Example

She tried to convince him to change his decision. She tried convincing him to change his decision.

They helped us to convince the committee members. They helped us convincing the committee members.

He regretted to convince them to invest in the company. He regretted convincing them to invest in the company.