To Cooperate vs Cooperating 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 cooperate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I agree to cooperate with my team to achieve our goals.

Cooperating (Gerund)

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

Example

Cooperating with others leads to a more harmonious work environment.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To cooperate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To cooperate is essential for a successful partnership.

  To cooperate is essential for a successful partnership.

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

  She wants us to cooperate on this project.

  She wants us to cooperate on this project.

  • "Us *to cooperate* on this project" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + pronoun (us) + infinitive phrase (*to cooperate* on this project).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a leader to cooperate effectively with the team.

  We need a leader to cooperate effectively with the team.

  • "*To cooperate* effectively with the team" modifies the noun "leader."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a leader *to cooperate* effectively with the team).

Cooperating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Cooperating is essential for a successful team.

  Cooperating is essential for a successful team.

  • "*Cooperating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for a successful team).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy cooperating with my colleagues on projects.

  I enjoy cooperating with my colleagues on projects.

  • "*Cooperating* with my colleagues on projects" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*cooperating* with my colleagues on projects).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for cooperating with diverse teams.

  He has a talent for cooperating with diverse teams.

  • "For *cooperating* with diverse teams" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *cooperating* with diverse teams).

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 cooperate closely with other departments for the project.

I hope to cooperate with you on future endeavors.

She wants to cooperate in finding a solution to the problem.

We decided to cooperate with the new team members.

They agreed to cooperate with the company's policies.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

They enjoy cooperating with external partners.

Experts recommend cooperating with local communities for sustainable development.

She avoids cooperating with unreliable individuals.

Can you imagine yourself cooperating with people from different cultures?

We consider cooperating with other companies to expand our market reach.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He would like to cooperate with you on the project. He would like cooperating with you on the project.

We started to cooperate more closely after the team-building activity. We started cooperating more closely after the team-building activity.

She began to cooperate with her colleagues on a new initiative. She began cooperating with her colleagues on a new initiative.