To Devise vs Devising 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 devise (Infinitive)

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

Example

I plan to devise a new strategy for the project.

Devising (Gerund)

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

Example

Devising creative solutions is crucial in problem-solving.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To devise (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To devise a solution is our top priority.

  To devise a solution is our top priority.

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

  She wants me to devise a plan for the event.

  She wants me to devise a plan for the event.

  • "Me *to devise* a plan for the event" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to devise* a plan for the event).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a creative approach to devise effective solutions.

  We need a creative approach to devise effective solutions.

  • "*To devise* effective solutions" modifies the noun phrase "a creative approach."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a creative approach *to devise* effective solutions).

Devising (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Devising a plan requires careful consideration.

  Devising a plan requires careful consideration.

  • "*Devising* a plan" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful consideration).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy devising strategies for success.

  I enjoy devising strategies for success.

  • "*Devising* strategies for success" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*devising* strategies for success).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for devising innovative solutions.

  He has a talent for devising innovative solutions.

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

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

He plans to devise a new marketing strategy.

They hope to devise a better system for tracking inventory.

She wants to devise a plan to improve customer service.

We decided to devise a contingency plan for emergencies.

They agreed to devise a new training program for employees.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys devising new ideas for product development.

They recommend devising a strategic plan for long-term growth.

I dislike the process of devising complex algorithms.

He avoids devising shortcuts that compromise quality.

Can you imagine yourself devising a groundbreaking invention?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

We like to devise innovative solutions. We like devising innovative solutions.

She started to devise a new business plan. She started devising a new business plan.

They began to devise a marketing strategy. They began devising a marketing strategy.