To Electrify vs Electrifying 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 electrify (Infinitive)

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

Example

The team decided to electrify the crowd with their performance.

Electrifying (Gerund)

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

Example

Electrifying the audience is our main goal.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To electrify (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To electrify the audience is our goal.

  To electrify the audience is our goal.

  • "*To electrify* the audience" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (our goal).
• 2. Object

  They want us to electrify the room.

  They want us to electrify the room.

  • "Us *to electrify* the room" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to electrify* the room).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a powerful sound system to electrify the crowd.

  We need a powerful sound system to electrify the crowd.

  • "*To electrify* the crowd" modifies the noun "sound system."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a powerful sound system *to electrify* the crowd).

Electrifying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Electrifying the crowd requires high energy.

  Electrifying the crowd requires high energy.

  • "*Electrifying* the crowd" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (high energy).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy electrifying the room with my music.

  I enjoy electrifying the room with my music.

  • "*Electrifying* the room" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*electrifying* the room).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for electrifying the audience.

  She has a passion for electrifying the audience.

  • "For *electrifying* the audience" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *electrifying* the audience).

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

She plans to electrify the audience with her speech.

They hope to electrify the judges with their talent.

He wants to electrify the crowd with his dance moves.

We decided to electrify the event with special effects.

They agreed to electrify the stage with their performance.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys electrifying the crowd with her performances.

They recommend electrifying the atmosphere with dynamic lighting.

I dislike the idea of electrifying the audience with shocking content.

He avoids electrifying the audience with offensive language.

Can you imagine yourself electrifying the crowd with your skills?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to electrify the audience with her energy. She likes electrifying the audience with her energy.

We started to electrify the crowd with our music. We started electrifying the crowd with our music.

He began to electrify the room with his speech. He began electrifying the room with his speech.