To Coordinate vs Coordinating 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 coordinate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to coordinate the event to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Coordinating (Gerund)

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

Example

Coordinating the project requires excellent organizational skills.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To coordinate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To coordinate is a crucial skill for project managers.

  To coordinate is a crucial skill for project managers.

  • "*To coordinate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a crucial skill for project managers).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to coordinate the team's efforts.

  She wants me to coordinate the team's efforts.

  • "Me *to coordinate* the team's efforts" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to coordinate* the team's efforts).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a leader to coordinate the project.

  We need a leader to coordinate the project.

  • "*To coordinate* the project" modifies the noun "leader."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a leader *to coordinate* the project).

Coordinating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Coordinating multiple tasks can be challenging.

  Coordinating multiple tasks can be challenging.

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

  I enjoy coordinating teams and projects.

  I enjoy coordinating teams and projects.

  • "*Coordinating* teams and projects" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*coordinating* teams and projects).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for coordinating complex operations.

  She has a talent for coordinating complex operations.

  • "For *coordinating* complex operations" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *coordinating* complex operations).

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 coordinate the logistics for the conference.

I hope to coordinate all the departments efficiently.

He wants to coordinate the schedules of all the team members.

She decided to coordinate the efforts of different teams.

We agreed to coordinate the event together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy coordinating the activities of different teams.

I recommend coordinating the tasks in a systematic manner.

He dislikes coordinating conflicting schedules.

We avoid coordinating last-minute changes.

Can you imagine yourself coordinating a large-scale event?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to coordinate the efforts of various departments. She likes coordinating the efforts of various departments.

We started to coordinate the project from scratch. We started coordinating the project from scratch.

He began to coordinate the activities of the team. He began coordinating the activities of the team.