To Export vs Exporting 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 export (Infinitive)

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

Example

The company plans to export their products to international markets.

Exporting (Gerund)

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

Example

Exporting is essential for business expansion.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To export (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To export is a key strategy for economic growth.

  To export is a key strategy for economic growth.

  • "*To export*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a key strategy for economic growth).
• 2. Object

  They want us to export the goods by next week.

  They want us to export the goods by next week.

  • "Us *to export* the goods by next week" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to export* the goods by next week).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a larger warehouse to export more products.

  We need a larger warehouse to export more products.

  • "*To export* more products" modifies the noun "warehouse."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a larger warehouse *to export* more products).

Exporting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Exporting creates job opportunities in the local economy.

  Exporting creates job opportunities in the local economy.

  • "*Exporting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (creates) + noun phrase (job opportunities in the local economy).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy exporting goods to different countries.

  I enjoy exporting goods to different countries.

  • "*Exporting* goods to different countries" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*exporting* goods to different countries).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a passion for exporting innovative products.

  They have a passion for exporting innovative products.

  • "For *exporting* innovative products" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a passion for *exporting* innovative products).

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

The company plans to export their products to new markets.

We hope to export our products to a global audience.

They want to export their goods to different countries.

He decided to export his handmade crafts to foreign markets.

The two companies agreed to export their products together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

She enjoys exporting her handmade crafts to international markets.

Experts recommend exporting products to diversify revenue streams.

Companies should avoid exporting low-quality goods.

They are considering exporting their services to other countries.

Can you imagine yourself exporting goods to different continents?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to export her products to foreign countries. She likes exporting her products to foreign countries.

They started to export their goods internationally. They started exporting their goods internationally.

He began to export his artwork to galleries abroad. He began exporting his artwork to galleries abroad.