To Cosign vs Cosigning 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 cosign (Infinitive)

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

Example

I promise to cosign the loan for my sister.

Cosigning (Gerund)

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

Example

Cosigning is a common practice when applying for a loan.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To cosign (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To cosign can be a risky financial decision.

  To cosign can be a risky financial decision.

  • "*To cosign*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (a risky financial decision).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to cosign the lease agreement.

  She wants me to cosign the lease agreement.

  • "Me *to cosign* the lease agreement" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to cosign* the lease agreement).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a co-signer to cosign the mortgage.

  I need a co-signer to cosign the mortgage.

  • "*To cosign* the mortgage" modifies the noun "co-signer."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a co-signer *to cosign* the mortgage).

Cosigning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Cosigning requires careful consideration of the risks involved.

  Cosigning requires careful consideration of the risks involved.

  • "*Cosigning*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful consideration of the risks involved).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy cosigning important documents.

  I enjoy cosigning important documents.

  • "*Cosigning* important documents" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*cosigning* important documents).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for cosigning legal agreements.

  She has a talent for cosigning legal agreements.

  • "For *cosigning* legal agreements" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *cosigning* legal agreements).

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
• want
• agree
• decide
• choose

Example

They plan to cosign the contract next week.

He wants to cosign the loan for his friend.

We agreed to cosign the agreement together.

She decided to cosign the document without hesitation.

They chose to cosign the application for their child.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• mind
• consider
• imagine

Example

He avoids cosigning any contracts without thorough review.

They recommend seeking legal advice before cosigning any financial documents.

I don't mind cosigning the rental agreement for my sister.

Have you considered cosigning the loan for your friend?

Can you imagine yourself cosigning a loan for someone you barely know?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She would like to cosign the contract. She would like cosigning the contract.

We started to cosign documents for our business partners. We started cosigning documents for our business partners.

He began to cosign financial agreements for his clients. He began cosigning financial agreements for his clients.