To Ensure vs Ensuring 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 ensure (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to ensure that everything is ready for the meeting.

Ensuring (Gerund)

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

Example

Ensuring customer satisfaction is our top priority.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To ensure (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To ensure success, we must work hard.

  To ensure success, we must work hard.

  • "*To ensure* success" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (must) + verb phrase (work hard).
• 2. Object

  He asked me to ensure that the project is completed on time.

  He asked me to ensure that the project is completed on time.

  • "Me *to ensure* that the project is completed on time" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (He) + verb (asked) + noun clause (me *to ensure* that the project is completed on time).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a reliable system to ensure smooth operations.

  We need a reliable system to ensure smooth operations.

  • "*To ensure* smooth operations" modifies the noun "system."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reliable system *to ensure* smooth operations).

Ensuring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Ensuring data security is crucial in today's digital world.

  Ensuring data security is crucial in today's digital world.

  • "*Ensuring* data security" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (crucial in today's digital world).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy ensuring that everything runs smoothly.

  I enjoy ensuring that everything runs smoothly.

  • "*Ensuring* that everything runs smoothly" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*ensuring* that everything runs smoothly).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for ensuring customer satisfaction.

  She has a talent for ensuring customer satisfaction.

  • "For *ensuring* customer satisfaction" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *ensuring* customer satisfaction).

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 ensure that all the resources are available.

They hope to ensure a successful outcome.

He wants to ensure customer satisfaction.

We decided to ensure a seamless transition.

They agreed to ensure proper training for the team.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys ensuring high-quality service.

They recommend ensuring proper documentation for legal compliance.

I dislike the idea of ensuring strict adherence to rules.

He avoids ensuring a negative customer experience.

Can you imagine yourself ensuring a flawless event?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to ensure that all tasks are completed. She likes ensuring a smooth workflow.

We started to ensure timely delivery of the project. We started ensuring quality control.

He began to ensure accurate data entry. He began ensuring compliance with company policies.