To Erect vs Erecting 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 erect (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to erect a new building in the city center.

Erecting (Gerund)

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

Example

Erecting a structure requires skilled labor and proper equipment.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To erect (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To erect a monument requires careful planning and execution.

  To erect a monument requires careful planning and execution.

  • "*To erect* a monument" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful planning and execution).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to erect a fence around the garden.

  She wants me to erect a fence around the garden.

  • "Me *to erect* a fence around the garden" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to erect* a fence around the garden).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a strong foundation to erect a stable structure.

  We need a strong foundation to erect a stable structure.

  • "*To erect* a stable structure" modifies the noun "foundation."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong foundation *to erect* a stable structure).

Erecting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Erecting tall buildings is a challenging task.

  Erecting tall buildings is a challenging task.

  • "*Erecting* tall buildings" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a challenging task).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy erecting intricate models.

  I enjoy erecting intricate models.

  • "*Erecting* intricate models" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*erecting* intricate models).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a passion for erecting large structures.

  They have a passion for erecting large structures.

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

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
• decide
• choose
• manage
• wish

Example

They plan to erect a skyscraper in the downtown area.

He decided to erect a statue in the park.

We chose to erect a memorial in their honor.

She managed to erect a temporary shelter for the refugees.

I wish to erect a monument to commemorate their achievements.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• understand

Example

He enjoys erecting wooden sculptures in his free time.

Architects recommend using steel frames when erecting high-rise buildings.

We are considering erecting a gazebo in the backyard.

They avoid erecting structures near environmentally sensitive areas.

Can you understand the process of erecting a tent?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to erect tall structures. She likes erecting tall structures.

We started to erect the scaffolding. We started erecting the scaffolding.

He began to erect the framework. He began erecting the framework.