To Distribute vs Distributing 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 distribute (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to distribute the flyers to promote the event.

Distributing (Gerund)

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

Example

Distributing the flyers is an effective way to spread the message.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To distribute (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To distribute the packages is my responsibility.

  To distribute the packages is my responsibility.

  • "*To distribute* the packages" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (my responsibility).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to distribute the brochures at the conference.

  She wants me to distribute the brochures at the conference.

  • "Me *to distribute* the brochures at the conference" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to distribute* the brochures at the conference).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a team to distribute the food to the homeless.

  We need a team to distribute the food to the homeless.

  • "*To distribute* the food to the homeless" modifies the noun "team."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a team *to distribute* the food to the homeless).

Distributing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Distributing promotional materials requires organization.

  Distributing promotional materials requires organization.

  • "*Distributing* promotional materials" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (organization).
• 2. Object

  We enjoy distributing free samples at the fair.

  We enjoy distributing free samples at the fair.

  • "*Distributing* free samples at the fair" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (We) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*distributing* free samples at the fair).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has experience in distributing educational materials.

  She has experience in distributing educational materials.

  • "In *distributing* educational materials" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience in *distributing* educational materials).

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 distribute the gifts during the holiday season.

I hope to distribute the flyers to a large audience.

He wants to distribute the brochures at the event.

We decided to distribute the products in different locations.

They agreed to distribute the resources evenly.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider
• mind

Example

They recommend distributing the brochures door-to-door for maximum exposure.

I avoid distributing the flyers in areas with strict regulations.

Can you imagine yourself distributing food to those in need?

They are considering distributing the products online.

He doesn't mind distributing the pamphlets at the event.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to distribute the newspapers in the morning. She likes distributing the newspapers in the morning.

We started to distribute the flyers last week. We started distributing the flyers last week.

He began to distribute the brochures at the mall. He began distributing the brochures at the mall.