To Forward vs Forwarding 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 forward (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to forward this email to my colleague.

Forwarding (Gerund)

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

Example

Forwarding emails can save time and improve efficiency.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To forward (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To forward is a common action in professional communication.

  To forward is a common action in professional communication.

  • "*To forward*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (a common action in professional communication).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to forward the document to the team.

  She wants me to forward the document to the team.

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

  I need a computer to forward the message.

  I need a computer to forward the message.

  • "*To forward* the message" modifies the noun "computer."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a computer *to forward* the message).

Forwarding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Forwarding is an essential task in office management.

  Forwarding is an essential task in office management.

  • "*Forwarding*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential task in office management).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy forwarding important messages to the team.

  I enjoy forwarding important messages to the team.

  • "*Forwarding* important messages to the team" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*forwarding* important messages to the team).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for forwarding emails efficiently.

  She has a talent for forwarding emails efficiently.

  • "For *forwarding* emails efficiently" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *forwarding* emails efficiently).

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

He plans to forward the email to his supervisor.

They hope to forward the report before the deadline.

She wants to forward the message to the entire team.

We decided to forward the invitation to all attendees.

They agreed to forward the file to the client.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys forwarding interesting articles to his colleagues.

They recommend forwarding relevant information to the team.

I dislike the task of forwarding unnecessary emails.

She avoids forwarding confidential information via email.

Can you imagine yourself forwarding messages to thousands of recipients?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to forward this message to the appropriate department. I would like forwarding this message to the appropriate department.

They started to forward their emails to a new address. They started forwarding their emails to a new address.

We began to forward the documents for review. We began forwarding the documents for review.