To Enhance vs Enhancing 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 enhance (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to enhance my skills to excel in my career.

Enhancing (Gerund)

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

Example

Enhancing your skills can open up new opportunities.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To enhance (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To enhance your performance, practice regularly.

  To enhance your performance, practice regularly.

  • "*To enhance*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (enhance) + noun phrase (your performance).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to enhance the presentation.

  She wants me to enhance the presentation.

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

  We need a software to enhance our productivity.

  We need a software to enhance our productivity.

  • "*To enhance* our productivity" modifies the noun "software."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a software *to enhance* our productivity).

Enhancing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Enhancing your knowledge is important for personal growth.

  Enhancing your knowledge is important for personal growth.

  • "*Enhancing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important for personal growth).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy enhancing my creativity through painting.

  I enjoy enhancing my creativity through painting.

  • "*Enhancing* my creativity through painting" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*enhancing* my creativity through painting).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for enhancing her leadership skills.

  She has a passion for enhancing her leadership skills.

  • "For *enhancing* her leadership skills" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *enhancing* her leadership skills).

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 enhance their website design next month.

I hope to enhance my communication skills through this training.

He wants to enhance his knowledge in the field of finance.

We have decided to enhance the customer experience with new features.

They agreed to enhance the security measures for the event.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy enhancing their physical fitness through regular exercise.

Experts recommend enhancing your resume with relevant certifications.

I dislike the idea of enhancing my appearance with cosmetic procedures.

He avoids enhancing his skills through shortcuts or cheating.

Can you imagine yourself enhancing your productivity by using time management techniques?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to enhance her performance in public speaking. She likes enhancing her performance in public speaking.

We started to enhance our online presence. We started enhancing our online presence.

He began to enhance his technical skills. He began enhancing his technical skills.