To Exert vs Exerting 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 exert (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to exert more effort to achieve my goals.

Exerting (Gerund)

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

Example

Exerting yourself can lead to significant achievements.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To exert (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To exert oneself is necessary for success.

  To exert oneself is necessary for success.

  • "*To exert* oneself" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (necessary) + prepositional phrase (for success).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to exert all my strength.

  She wants me to exert all my strength.

  • "Me *to exert* all my strength" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to exert* all my strength).
• 3. Adverbial Modifier

  I have a deadline to exert extra effort.

  I have a deadline to exert extra effort.

  • "*To exert* extra effort" modifies the noun "deadline."
  • Noun (I) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a deadline *to exert* extra effort).

Exerting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Exerting effort is essential for progress.

  Exerting effort is essential for progress.

  • "*Exerting* effort" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (essential) + prepositional phrase (for progress).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy exerting my energy in challenging tasks.

  I enjoy exerting my energy in challenging tasks.

  • "*Exerting* my energy in challenging tasks" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*exerting* my energy in challenging tasks).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for exerting herself in difficult situations.

  She has a passion for exerting herself in difficult situations.

  • "For *exerting* herself in difficult situations" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *exerting* herself in difficult situations).

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 exert herself in the upcoming competition.

They hope to exert their influence on the decision-making process.

He wants to exert control over the situation.

We decided to exert our authority to maintain order.

They agreed to exert pressure on the government to address the issue.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys exerting her skills in competitive sports.

They recommend exerting regular effort for personal growth.

I dislike the feeling of exerting myself too much.

He avoids exerting unnecessary force in delicate situations.

Can you imagine yourself exerting your influence on a global scale?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to exert her authority in the workplace. She likes exerting her authority in the workplace.

We started to exert more effort in our studies. We started exerting more effort in our studies.

He began to exert his influence in the community. He began exerting his influence in the community.