When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To establish (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to establish" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
We need to establish a new company in the market.
Establishing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "establishing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Establishing a strong network is crucial for business success.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To establish (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To establish a successful business requires hard work and dedication.
To establish a successful business requires hard work and dedication.
- "*To establish* a successful business" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (hard work and dedication).
- 2Object
They want us to establish strong partnerships with other organizations.
They want us to establish strong partnerships with other organizations.
- "Us *to establish* strong partnerships with other organizations" is the object of the verb "want."
- Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to establish* strong partnerships with other organizations).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a solid foundation to establish his credibility.
He needs a solid foundation to establish his credibility.
- "*To establish* his credibility" modifies the noun "foundation."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a solid foundation *to establish* his credibility).
Establishing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Establishing effective communication is essential in any team.
Establishing effective communication is essential in any team.
- "*Establishing* effective communication" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential in any team).
- 2Object
She enjoys establishing connections with influential individuals.
She enjoys establishing connections with influential individuals.
- "*Establishing* connections with influential individuals" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*establishing* connections with influential individuals).
- 3Object of Preposition
They are committed to establishing a sustainable business model.
They are committed to establishing a sustainable business model.
- "*Establishing* a sustainable business model" is the object of the preposition "to."
- Noun phrase (They) + verb (are committed to) + gerund (*establishing* a sustainable business model).
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
Example
We plan to establish a branch office in another city.
I hope to establish a good reputation in the industry.
She wants to establish herself as a leader in the field.
They decided to establish a partnership with a renowned company.
We agreed to establish a set of guidelines for the project.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys establishing new partnerships and collaborations.
Experts recommend establishing clear goals and objectives.
I dislike the process of establishing bureaucratic systems.
They avoid establishing unnecessary rules and regulations.
Can you imagine yourself establishing a successful startup?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I would like to establish my own business. I would like establishing my own business.
She started to establish her career in the entertainment industry. She started establishing her career in the entertainment industry.
They began to establish a strong customer base. They began establishing a strong customer base.
