To Extend vs Extending 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 extend (Infinitive)

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

Example

I plan to extend my vacation by a few days.

Extending (Gerund)

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

Example

Extending the deadline is not feasible at this point.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To extend (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To extend the deadline would be unfair to the other participants.

  To extend the deadline would be unfair to the other participants.

  • "*To extend* the deadline" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (would be) + adjective phrase (unfair to the other participants).
• 2. Object

  They want me to extend my contract with the company.

  They want me to extend my contract with the company.

  • "Me *to extend* my contract with the company" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (me *to extend* my contract with the company).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a ladder to extend our reach.

  We need a ladder to extend our reach.

  • "*To extend* our reach" modifies the noun "ladder."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a ladder *to extend* our reach).

Extending (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Extending the offer would attract more customers.

  Extending the offer would attract more customers.

  • "*Extending* the offer" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (would attract) + noun phrase (more customers).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy extending a helping hand to those in need.

  I enjoy extending a helping hand to those in need.

  • "*Extending* a helping hand to those in need" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*extending* a helping hand to those in need).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a passion for extending their knowledge.

  They have a passion for extending their knowledge.

  • "For *extending* their knowledge" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a passion for *extending* their knowledge).

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 extend her stay in Europe.

I hope to extend my visa for another month.

He wants to extend the deadline for submitting the project.

They decided to extend their business hours.

We agreed to extend the contract for another year.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• postpone
• imagine

Example

She recommends extending the project timeline.

We are considering extending the warranty period.

He avoids extending the meeting duration.

They decided to postpone extending the invitation list.

Can you imagine extending your working hours every day?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to extend her vacations by a few days. She likes extending her vacations by a few days.

We started to extend our services to new cities. We started extending our services to new cities.

He began to extend his knowledge in the field. He began extending his knowledge in the field.