To Elicit vs Eliciting 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 elicit (Infinitive)

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

Example

The detective tried to elicit information from the witness.

Eliciting (Gerund)

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

Example

Eliciting feedback is an important part of the design process.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To elicit (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To elicit a response, ask open-ended questions.

  To elicit a response, ask open-ended questions.

  • "*To elicit* a response" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (ask) + noun phrase (open-ended questions).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to elicit feedback from the team.

  She wants me to elicit feedback from the team.

  • "Me *to elicit* feedback from the team" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to elicit* feedback from the team).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a survey to elicit customer opinions.

  We need a survey to elicit customer opinions.

  • "*To elicit* customer opinions" modifies the noun "survey."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a survey *to elicit* customer opinions).

Eliciting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Eliciting opinions helps us make informed decisions.

  Eliciting opinions helps us make informed decisions.

  • "*Eliciting* opinions" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (helps) + noun phrase (us make informed decisions).
• 2. Object

  They enjoy eliciting ideas from their team members.

  They enjoy eliciting ideas from their team members.

  • "*Eliciting* ideas from their team members" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (They) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*eliciting* ideas from their team members).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  The article focuses on the importance of eliciting customer feedback.

  The article focuses on the importance of eliciting customer feedback.

  • "The importance of *eliciting* customer feedback" is the object of the preposition "on."
  • Noun phrase (The article) + verb (focuses) + noun phrase (the importance of *eliciting* customer feedback).

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

• attempt
• struggle
• demand
• deserve
• wish

Example

He attempted to elicit a confession from the suspect.

They struggled to elicit the truth from the witness.

The interviewer demanded to elicit honest responses.

You deserve to elicit praise for your hard work.

I wish to elicit a positive reaction from the audience.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• resist
• understand

Example

We recommend eliciting input from all stakeholders.

It's best to avoid eliciting negative reactions from the audience.

They are considering eliciting suggestions for improvement.

She couldn't resist eliciting a smile from the baby.

I don't understand the purpose of eliciting such strong emotions.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to elicit genuine responses. I like eliciting genuine responses.

He started to elicit information from the witnesses. He started eliciting information from the witnesses.

We began to elicit feedback from the participants. We began eliciting feedback from the participants.