To Energize vs Energizing 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 energize (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to energize the team with my motivational speech.

Energizing (Gerund)

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

Example

Energizing the team is crucial for success.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To energize (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To energize is his main goal in this project.

  To energize is his main goal in this project.

  • "*To energize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his main goal in this project).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to energize the audience.

  She wants me to energize the audience.

  • "Me *to energize* the audience" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to energize* the audience).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a cup of coffee to energize ourselves.

  We need a cup of coffee to energize ourselves.

  • "*To energize* ourselves" modifies the noun "cup of coffee."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a cup of coffee *to energize* ourselves).

Energizing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Energizing the room with music creates a lively atmosphere.

  Energizing the room with music creates a lively atmosphere.

  • "*Energizing* the room with music" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (creates) + noun phrase (a lively atmosphere).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy energizing the crowd with my energetic performance.

  I enjoy energizing the crowd with my energetic performance.

  • "*Energizing* the crowd" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*energizing* the crowd).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for energizing others.

  She has a passion for energizing others.

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

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 energize the team before the game.

I hope to energize the crowd with my performance.

He wants to energize the employees with his presentation.

We decided to energize the participants with interactive activities.

They agreed to energize the audience with their music.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy energizing the team before every match.

Experts recommend energizing yourself with positive affirmations.

I dislike the idea of energizing a large crowd.

He avoids energizing people with negative energy.

Can you imagine yourself energizing a room full of people?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to energize myself with a morning workout. I like energizing myself with a morning workout.

She started to energize the team with her inspiring speeches. She started energizing the team with her inspiring speeches.

We began to energize the audience with our dynamic performance. We began energizing the audience with our dynamic performance.