To Hierarchise vs Hierarchising 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 hierarchise (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to hierarchise the tasks based on priority.

Hierarchising (Gerund)

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

Example

Hierarchising the tasks can lead to better organization.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To hierarchise (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To hierarchise is an important step in project management.

  To hierarchise is an important step in project management.

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

  She wants me to hierarchise the team's responsibilities.

  She wants me to hierarchise the team's responsibilities.

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

  We need a clear framework to hierarchise our goals.

  We need a clear framework to hierarchise our goals.

  • "*To hierarchise* our goals" modifies the noun "framework."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a clear framework *to hierarchise* our goals).

Hierarchising (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Hierarchising is a crucial aspect of effective management.

  Hierarchising is a crucial aspect of effective management.

  • "*Hierarchising*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a crucial aspect of effective management).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy hierarchising the team's responsibilities.

  I enjoy hierarchising the team's responsibilities.

  • "*Hierarchising* the team's responsibilities" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*hierarchising* the team's responsibilities).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for hierarchising complex projects.

  She has a talent for hierarchising complex projects.

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

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
• decide
• refuse
• attempt
• choose

Example

They plan to hierarchise the tasks for the upcoming project.

We decided to hierarchise the priorities based on urgency.

He refused to hierarchise the employees' roles in the organization.

She attempted to hierarchise the workflow for better efficiency.

They chose to hierarchise the projects based on their complexity.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• recommend
• avoid
• delay
• deny

Example

They consider hierarchising the tasks as a priority.

I recommend hierarchising the team's roles and responsibilities.

He avoids hierarchising the projects without proper planning.

She delayed hierarchising the budget allocations for the next quarter.

They denied hierarchising the tasks based on individual preferences.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to hierarchise her daily to-do list. She likes hierarchising her daily to-do list.

We started to hierarchise the project tasks. We started hierarchising the project tasks.

He began to hierarchise the team's roles. He began hierarchising the team's roles.