To Depute vs Deputing 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 depute (Infinitive)

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

Example

I plan to depute someone to represent our company at the conference.

Deputing (Gerund)

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

Example

Deputing a team of experts can greatly enhance productivity.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To depute (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To depute is a common practice in large organizations.

  To depute is a common practice in large organizations.

  • "*To depute*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice in large organizations).
• 2. Object

  They want me to depute a team for the project.

  They want me to depute a team for the project.

  • "Me *to depute* a team for the project" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (me *to depute* a team for the project).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a capable person to depute for this task.

  We need a capable person to depute for this task.

  • "*To depute* for this task" modifies the noun "person."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a capable person *to depute* for this task).

Deputing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Deputing employees from different departments promotes collaboration.

  Deputing employees from different departments promotes collaboration.

  • "*Deputing* employees from different departments" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (promotes) + noun phrase (collaboration).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys deputing talented individuals for challenging projects.

  She enjoys deputing talented individuals for challenging projects.

  • "*Deputing* talented individuals for challenging projects" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*deputing* talented individuals for challenging projects).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  We are considering deputing a team of experts for the task.

  We are considering deputing a team of experts for the task.

  • "*Deputing* a team of experts for the task" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (We) + verb (are considering) + noun phrase (*deputing* a team of experts for the task).

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
• refuse
• wish

Example

She plans to depute a representative for the meeting.

They decided to depute him as the team leader.

He hopes to depute his assistant for the upcoming event.

We refuse to depute anyone without proper qualifications.

I wish to depute someone with expertise in the subject matter.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• mind
• consider
• imagine

Example

They recommend deputing experienced professionals for better results.

He avoids deputing inexperienced staff for critical assignments.

I don't mind deputing someone capable for the responsibility.

We are considering deputing a temporary team for the project.

Can you imagine deputing yourself as the team leader?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to depute her most trusted employee. She likes deputing skilled professionals for important tasks.

We started to depute representatives from each department. We started deputing cross-functional teams for better coordination.

He began to depute his deputy to attend meetings on his behalf. He began deputing qualified individuals for specialized projects.