To Deploy vs Deploying 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 deploy (Infinitive)

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

Example

They plan to deploy the new software next week.

Deploying (Gerund)

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

Example

Deploying the troops was a complex operation.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To deploy (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To deploy the new software is our top priority.

  To deploy the new software is our top priority.

  • "*To deploy* the new software" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (our top priority).
• 2. Object

  We want them to deploy the latest updates.

  We want them to deploy the latest updates.

  • "Them *to deploy* the latest updates" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (We) + verb (want) + noun phrase (them *to deploy* the latest updates).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a team to deploy the project.

  I need a team to deploy the project.

  • "*To deploy* the project" modifies the noun "team."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a team *to deploy* the project).

Deploying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Deploying new technologies requires careful planning.

  Deploying new technologies requires careful planning.

  • "*Deploying* new technologies" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful planning).
• 2. Object

  He enjoys deploying innovative strategies.

  He enjoys deploying innovative strategies.

  • "*Deploying* innovative strategies" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*deploying* innovative strategies).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  We are considering deploying additional resources.

  We are considering deploying additional resources.

  • "*Deploying* additional resources" is the object of the preposition "considering."
  • Noun phrase (We) + verb (are considering) + gerund (*deploying* additional resources).

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
• decide
• agree
• determine

Example

We plan to deploy the new system in stages.

I hope to deploy the app by the end of the month.

They decided to deploy the resources strategically.

The team agreed to deploy the updated version.

She determined to deploy the solution immediately.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• resist
• understand

Example

Experts recommend deploying advanced security measures.

They avoid deploying outdated technology.

Can you imagine deploying drones for delivery?

She resists deploying automated systems.

I understand the importance of deploying trained personnel.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They would like to deploy the new feature. They would like deploying the new feature.

We started to deploy the marketing campaign. We started deploying the marketing campaign.

He began to deploy the project resources. He began deploying the project resources.