To Facsimile vs Facsimiling 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 facsimile (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to facsimile the documents to the client.

Facsimiling (Gerund)

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

Example

Facsimiling saves time and effort.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To facsimile (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To facsimile is a common way to transmit information.

  To facsimile is a common way to transmit information.

  • "*To facsimile*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common way to transmit information).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to facsimile the contract.

  She wants me to facsimile the contract.

  • "Me *to facsimile* the contract" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to facsimile* the contract).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a machine to facsimile the documents.

  We need a machine to facsimile the documents.

  • "*To facsimile* the documents" modifies the noun "machine."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a machine *to facsimile* the documents).

Facsimiling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Facsimiling is a reliable method of communication.

  Facsimiling is a reliable method of communication.

  • "*Facsimiling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a reliable method of communication).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy facsimiling important documents.

  I enjoy facsimiling important documents.

  • "*Facsimiling* important documents" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*facsimiling* important documents).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have experience in facsimiling legal papers.

  They have experience in facsimiling legal papers.

  • "In *facsimiling* legal papers" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (experience in *facsimiling* legal papers).

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

• agree
• plan
• refuse
• attempt
• choose

Example

They agreed to facsimile the report before the deadline.

We plan to facsimile the forms for registration.

He refused to facsimile the confidential information.

She attempted to facsimile the letter multiple times.

You can choose to facsimile or email the document.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• delay

Example

He avoids facsimiling sensitive information.

We are considering facsimiling the contract for faster processing.

Experts recommend facsimiling important documents for record-keeping.

Do you mind facsimiling the paperwork for me?

They delayed facsimiling the invoice due to technical issues.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to facsimile important files. She likes facsimiling important files.

We started to facsimile all our correspondence. We started facsimiling all our correspondence.

He began to facsimile his handwritten notes. He began facsimiling his handwritten notes.