To Harness vs Harnessing 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 harness (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to harness the power of the sun for renewable energy.

Harnessing (Gerund)

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

Example

Harnessing renewable energy sources is crucial for a greener planet.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To harness (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To harness renewable resources is essential for a sustainable future.

  To harness renewable resources is essential for a sustainable future.

  • "*To harness* renewable resources" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for a sustainable future).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to harness the potential of this technology.

  She wants me to harness the potential of this technology.

  • "Me *to harness* the potential of this technology" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to harness* the potential of this technology).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a system to harness solar energy efficiently.

  We need a system to harness solar energy efficiently.

  • "*To harness* solar energy efficiently" modifies the noun "system."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a system *to harness* solar energy efficiently).

Harnessing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Harnessing the power of the wind is a growing industry.

  Harnessing the power of the wind is a growing industry.

  • "*Harnessing* the power of the wind" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a growing industry).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy harnessing the potential of solar energy.

  I enjoy harnessing the potential of solar energy.

  • "*Harnessing* the potential of solar energy" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*harnessing* the potential of solar energy).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for harnessing renewable resources.

  She has a passion for harnessing renewable resources.

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

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

They plan to harness wind power for their community.

I hope to harness tidal energy for sustainable electricity.

He wants to harness geothermal energy for heating and cooling.

We decided to harness the power of hydroelectricity.

They agreed to harness biomass for renewable fuel.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider
• mind

Example

They recommend harnessing wave energy for sustainable power generation.

He avoids harnessing fossil fuels for environmental reasons.

Can you imagine harnessing the power of the sun for your home?

We are considering harnessing bioenergy for our farm.

I don't mind harnessing the energy from natural sources.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to harness the power of the ocean waves. I would like harnessing the energy of the ocean waves.

They started to harness wind power in their region. They started harnessing wind power in their region.

He began to harness solar energy for his home. He began harnessing solar energy for his home.