To Govern vs Governing 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 govern (Infinitive)

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

Example

The elected officials are responsible to govern the country.

Governing (Gerund)

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

Example

Governing a nation requires strong leadership skills.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To govern (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To govern is a challenging task.

  To govern is a challenging task.

  • "*To govern*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a challenging task).
• 2. Object

  She wants him to govern the organization.

  She wants him to govern the organization.

  • "Him *to govern* the organization" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (him *to govern* the organization).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a leader to govern the nation.

  We need a leader to govern the nation.

  • "*To govern* the nation" modifies the noun "leader."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a leader *to govern* the nation).

Governing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Governing is a complex task.

  Governing is a complex task.

  • "*Governing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a complex task).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy governing the organization.

  I enjoy governing the organization.

  • "*Governing* the organization" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*governing* the organization).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for governing.

  She has a passion for governing.

  • "For *governing*" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *governing*).

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

• decide
• plan
• refuse
• attempt
• choose

Example

They decided to govern with integrity and transparency.

He plans to govern effectively and efficiently.

She refused to govern under corrupt circumstances.

They attempted to govern with fairness and justice.

We chose to govern based on the principles of democracy.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• understand

Example

He enjoys governing with fairness and transparency.

They recommend experienced leaders for governing positions.

I am considering governing as a career choice.

She avoids governing without proper consultation.

Can you understand the challenges of governing a diverse population?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to govern with compassion and empathy. She likes governing with compassion and empathy.

We began to govern the city last year. We began governing the city last year.

He will continue to govern the country for another term. He will continue governing the country for another term.