To Correspond vs Corresponding 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 correspond (Infinitive)

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

Example

I promise to correspond with you regularly.

Corresponding (Gerund)

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

Example

Corresponding regularly helps maintain strong relationships.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To correspond (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To correspond is essential for effective communication.

  To correspond is essential for effective communication.

  • "*To correspond*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for effective communication).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to correspond with her via email.

  She wants me to correspond with her via email.

  • "Me *to correspond* with her via email" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to correspond* with her via email).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I have a notebook to correspond important information.

  I have a notebook to correspond important information.

  • "*To correspond* important information" modifies the noun "notebook."
  • Noun (I) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a notebook *to correspond* important information).

Corresponding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Corresponding regularly is crucial for long-distance friendships.

  Corresponding regularly is crucial for long-distance friendships.

  • "*Corresponding* regularly" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (crucial for long-distance friendships).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy corresponding with my pen pal from another country.

  I enjoy corresponding with my pen pal from another country.

  • "*Corresponding* with my pen pal from another country" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*corresponding* with my pen pal from another country).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for corresponding with different cultures.

  She has a passion for corresponding with different cultures.

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

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
• decide
• hope
• choose
• refuse

Example

They plan to correspond via video conference next week.

We decided to correspond using encrypted messaging apps.

I hope to correspond with you about the project details soon.

He chose to correspond through handwritten letters.

She refused to correspond with him after the disagreement.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

He enjoys corresponding with his favorite author via email.

They recommend corresponding regularly for better understanding.

I avoid corresponding with people who are disrespectful.

Can you imagine corresponding with a celebrity?

We are considering corresponding in multiple languages.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to correspond through handwritten letters. She likes corresponding through handwritten letters.

He began to correspond with his long-lost friend. He began corresponding with his long-lost friend.

They will continue to correspond via text messages. They will continue corresponding via text messages.