To Entail vs Entailing 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 entail (Infinitive)

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

Example

The project will entail a lot of hard work and dedication.

Entailing (Gerund)

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

Example

Entailing such risks is not advisable.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To entail (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To entail such risks is not advisable.

  To entail such risks is not advisable.

  • "*To entail* such risks" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (not advisable).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to entail the responsibility.

  He wants me to entail the responsibility.

  • "Me *to entail* the responsibility" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to entail* the responsibility).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  It's important to have a detailed plan to entail all possible scenarios.

  It's important to have a detailed plan to entail all possible scenarios.

  • "*To entail* all possible scenarios" modifies the adjective "important."
  • Noun (It) + verb (is) + adjective (important) + infinitive phrase (to entail all possible scenarios).

Entailing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Entailing additional costs is a concern for the company.

  Entailing additional costs is a concern for the company.

  • "*Entailing* additional costs" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a concern for the company).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy entailing complex challenges in my work.

  I enjoy entailing complex challenges in my work.

  • "*Entailing* complex challenges in my work" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*entailing* complex challenges in my work).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for entailing high stakes in her business ventures.

  She has a passion for entailing high stakes in her business ventures.

  • "For *entailing* high stakes in her business ventures" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *entailing* high stakes in her business ventures).

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

She plans to entail thorough research and analysis.

They hope to entail minimal risk in their investment.

He wants to entail a significant financial commitment.

We decided to entail extensive collaboration with other departments.

They agreed to entail long hours of work.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys entailing strategic decision-making.

They recommend entailing thorough risk assessment in the project plan.

I dislike the idea of entailing legal complications.

He avoids entailing unnecessary expenses.

Can you imagine entailing such consequences?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to entail careful consideration of all factors. She likes entailing challenging tasks.

We started to entail detailed documentation. We started entailing thorough research.

He began to entail regular meetings with stakeholders. He began entailing innovative solutions.