To Detect vs Detecting 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 detect (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to detect any signs of fraud in the system.

Detecting (Gerund)

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

Example

Detecting fraud requires a keen eye for detail.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To detect (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To detect fraud is essential for maintaining the integrity of the company.

  To detect fraud is essential for maintaining the integrity of the company.

  • "*To detect* fraud" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for maintaining the integrity of the company).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to detect any anomalies in the data.

  She wants me to detect any anomalies in the data.

  • "Me *to detect* any anomalies in the data" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to detect* any anomalies in the data).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a reliable tool to detect counterfeit money.

  We need a reliable tool to detect counterfeit money.

  • "*To detect* counterfeit money" modifies the noun "tool."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reliable tool *to detect* counterfeit money).

Detecting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Detecting anomalies is crucial for preventing financial losses.

  Detecting anomalies is crucial for preventing financial losses.

  • "*Detecting* anomalies" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (crucial for preventing financial losses).
• 2. Object

  We enjoy detecting patterns in data.

  We enjoy detecting patterns in data.

  • "*Detecting* patterns in data" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (We) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*detecting* patterns in data).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for detecting lies.

  He has a talent for detecting lies.

  • "For *detecting* lies" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *detecting* lies).

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 detect any security breaches in the system.

I hope to detect any errors in the calculations.

He wants to detect any potential risks in the project.

We decided to detect any unauthorized access to the network.

They agreed to detect any suspicious activities in the area.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• mind
• practice

Example

Experts recommend regularly detecting and addressing vulnerabilities.

She avoids detecting errors at the last minute.

They consider detecting early signs of disease a priority.

I don't mind detecting small discrepancies in the data.

He practices detecting hidden meanings in written texts.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to detect fraud before it causes major damage. She likes detecting fraudulent activities in the system.

We started to detect inconsistencies in the reports. We started detecting anomalies in the data.

He began to detect signs of cheating in the game. He began detecting suspicious behavior during matches.