To Empower vs Empowering 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 empower (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to empower others to reach their full potential.

Empowering (Gerund)

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

Example

Empowering others can lead to a more inclusive society.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To empower (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To empower is a key principle of leadership.

  To empower is a key principle of leadership.

  • "*To empower*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a key principle of leadership).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to empower the team with decision-making authority.

  She wants me to empower the team with decision-making authority.

  • "Me *to empower* the team with decision-making authority" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to empower* the team with decision-making authority).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a supportive environment to empower our employees.

  We need a supportive environment to empower our employees.

  • "*To empower* our employees" modifies the noun "environment."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a supportive environment *to empower* our employees).

Empowering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Empowering people is essential for social progress.

  Empowering people is essential for social progress.

  • "*Empowering* people" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for social progress).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy empowering my team to take on new challenges.

  I enjoy empowering my team to take on new challenges.

  • "*Empowering* my team to take on new challenges" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*empowering* my team to take on new challenges).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for empowering underprivileged youth.

  She has a passion for empowering underprivileged youth.

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

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
• decide
• want
• agree

Example

They plan to empower their customers with knowledge and resources.

He hopes to empower marginalized communities through education.

We decided to empower our employees by giving them more autonomy.

She wants to empower individuals to make positive changes in their lives.

They agreed to empower women by providing equal opportunities.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• understand

Example

He enjoys empowering others to achieve their goals.

They recommend empowering employees through training and development.

We avoid empowering one group at the expense of others.

I am considering empowering local communities through sustainable projects.

She understands the importance of empowering individuals to create change.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to empower my team with decision-making authority. I like empowering my team with decision-making authority.

We started to empower marginalized communities through education. We started empowering marginalized communities through education.

He began to empower individuals to overcome adversity. He began empowering individuals to overcome adversity.