To Deliberate vs Deliberating 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 deliberate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to deliberate on this matter before making a decision.

Deliberating (Gerund)

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

Example

Deliberating helps us consider all the pros and cons.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To deliberate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To deliberate is an important step in the decision-making process.

  To deliberate is an important step in the decision-making process.

  • "*To deliberate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in the decision-making process).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to deliberate on the proposal.

  She wants me to deliberate on the proposal.

  • "Me *to deliberate* on the proposal" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to deliberate* on the proposal).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a quiet space to deliberate.

  We need a quiet space to deliberate.

  • "*To deliberate*" modifies the noun "space."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a quiet space *to deliberate*).

Deliberating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Deliberating is an essential part of the decision-making process.

  Deliberating is an essential part of the decision-making process.

  • "*Deliberating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential part of the decision-making process).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy deliberating on complex issues.

  I enjoy deliberating on complex issues.

  • "*Deliberating* on complex issues" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*deliberating* on complex issues).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for deliberating effectively.

  She has a talent for deliberating effectively.

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

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 deliberate on the issue tomorrow.

He hopes to deliberate with the team before making a decision.

She wants to deliberate on all the options.

We decided to deliberate on the matter further.

They agreed to deliberate together before taking any action.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys deliberating with a diverse group of people.

They recommend regular deliberating for better decision-making.

I dislike the idea of deliberating in a rushed manner.

She avoids deliberating when she is tired or stressed.

Can you imagine yourself deliberating on such complex matters?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

We like to deliberate on important matters. We like deliberating on important matters.

He started to deliberate after gathering all the necessary information. He started deliberating after gathering all the necessary information.

She began to deliberate on the options available. She began deliberating on the options available.