To Finalize vs Finalizing 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 finalize (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to finalize the project before the deadline.

Finalizing (Gerund)

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

Example

Finalizing the report took longer than expected.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To finalize (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To finalize is an important step in the process.

  To finalize is an important step in the process.

  • "*To finalize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in the process).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to finalize the details.

  She wants me to finalize the details.

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

  I need a checklist to finalize the preparations.

  I need a checklist to finalize the preparations.

  • "*To finalize* the preparations" modifies the noun "checklist."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a checklist *to finalize* the preparations).

Finalizing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Finalizing is a crucial part of the process.

  Finalizing is a crucial part of the process.

  • "*Finalizing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a crucial part of the process).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy finalizing the details of a project.

  I enjoy finalizing the details of a project.

  • "*Finalizing* the details of a project" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*finalizing* the details of a project).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for finalizing complex tasks.

  She has a talent for finalizing complex tasks.

  • "For *finalizing* complex tasks" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *finalizing* complex tasks).

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 finalize the budget tomorrow.

They hope to finalize the agreement by the end of the week.

He wants to finalize the design before presenting it.

We decided to finalize the schedule for the event.

They agreed to finalize the contract together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys finalizing the artwork for the exhibition.

They recommend finalizing the budget before starting the project.

I dislike the process of finalizing legal documents.

He avoids finalizing decisions without proper research.

Can you imagine yourself finalizing a major deal?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to finalize the details of a project. She likes finalizing the details of a project.

We started to finalize the paperwork. We started finalizing the paperwork.

He began to finalize the plans for the event. He began finalizing the plans for the event.