To Expand vs Expanding 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 expand (Infinitive)

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

Example

The company plans to expand its operations globally.

Expanding (Gerund)

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

Example

Expanding our product line will attract more customers.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To expand (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To expand is essential for business growth.

  To expand is essential for business growth.

  • "*To expand*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for business growth).
• 2. Object

  They want us to expand our product line.

  They want us to expand our product line.

  • "*To expand* our product line" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + pronoun (us) + infinitive phrase (to expand our product line).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a larger facility to expand our operations.

  We need a larger facility to expand our operations.

  • "*To expand* our operations" modifies the noun "facility."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a larger facility *to expand* our operations).

Expanding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Expanding the business requires careful planning.

  Expanding the business requires careful planning.

  • "*Expanding* the business" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + adjective phrase (careful planning).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy expanding my knowledge through reading.

  I enjoy expanding my knowledge through reading.

  • "*Expanding* my knowledge through reading" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*expanding* my knowledge through reading).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are considering the possibility of expanding their business.

  They are considering the possibility of expanding their business.

  • "The possibility of *expanding* their business" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are considering) + noun phrase (the possibility of *expanding* their business).

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

They plan to expand into new markets next year.

I hope to expand my network through this conference.

She wants to expand her business internationally.

We have decided to expand our services to include online classes.

They agreed to expand their team to meet the demand.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine
• understand

Example

Experts recommend expanding your customer base through targeted marketing.

We should avoid expanding too quickly without proper resources.

They are considering expanding their product range.

Imagine the benefits of expanding your business into new markets.

It's important to understand the risks involved in expanding internationally.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to expand my skills and knowledge. I would like expanding my skills and knowledge.

They started to expand their business last year. They started expanding their business last year.

He began to expand his network by attending networking events. He began expanding his network by attending networking events.