To Enforce vs Enforcing 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 enforce (Infinitive)

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

Example

The police are here to enforce the law.

Enforcing (Gerund)

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

Example

Enforcing the rules is crucial for maintaining order.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To enforce (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To enforce is their primary duty as law enforcement officers.

  To enforce is their primary duty as law enforcement officers.

  • "*To enforce*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (their primary duty as law enforcement officers).
• 2. Object

  We need someone to enforce the rules in this organization.

  We need someone to enforce the rules in this organization.

  • "Someone *to enforce* the rules in this organization" is the object of the verb "need."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (someone *to enforce* the rules in this organization).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a team to enforce the regulations.

  He needs a team to enforce the regulations.

  • "*To enforce* the regulations" modifies the noun "team."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a team *to enforce* the regulations).

Enforcing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Enforcing the law is their responsibility as police officers.

  Enforcing the law is their responsibility as police officers.

  • "*Enforcing* the law" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (their responsibility as police officers).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy enforcing the regulations in this organization.

  I enjoy enforcing the regulations in this organization.

  • "*Enforcing* the regulations in this organization" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*enforcing* the regulations in this organization).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a passion for enforcing justice.

  They have a passion for enforcing justice.

  • "For *enforcing* justice" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a passion for *enforcing* justice).

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
• want
• decide
• agree
• refuse

Example

They plan to enforce stricter regulations next year.

She wants to enforce the new policies immediately.

We decided to enforce the curfew in the city.

The committee agreed to enforce the code of conduct rigorously.

He refused to enforce the unfair law.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider
• resist

Example

The experts recommend strict measures for enforcing safety protocols.

She avoids enforcing unnecessary restrictions.

Can you imagine yourself enforcing the law in challenging situations?

They are considering enforcing stricter penalties for violations.

He resists enforcing unfair regulations.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I like to enforce rules and maintain order. I like enforcing rules and maintaining order.

They began to enforce the new policy yesterday. They began enforcing the new policy yesterday.

She will continue to enforce the regulations strictly. She will continue enforcing the regulations strictly.