To Hire vs Hiring 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 hire (Infinitive)

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

Example

I plan to hire a new employee for the position.

Hiring (Gerund)

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

Example

Hiring the right candidate is crucial for the success of a company.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To hire (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To hire is a common practice in the business world.

  To hire is a common practice in the business world.

  • "*To hire*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice in the business world).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to hire a professional photographer for the event.

  She wants me to hire a professional photographer for the event.

  • "Me *to hire* a professional photographer for the event" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to hire* a professional photographer for the event).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a reliable person to hire for the job.

  We need a reliable person to hire for the job.

  • "*To hire* for the job" modifies the noun "person."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reliable person *to hire* for the job).

Hiring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Hiring new employees requires careful consideration.

  Hiring new employees requires careful consideration.

  • "*Hiring* new employees" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful consideration).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy hiring talented individuals for my team.

  I enjoy hiring talented individuals for my team.

  • "*Hiring* talented individuals for my team" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*hiring* talented individuals for my team).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a knack for hiring the right people.

  They have a knack for hiring the right people.

  • "For *hiring* the right people" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a knack for *hiring* the right people).

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
• want
• attempt
• demand
• wish

Example

They decided to hire a consultant to help with the project.

He wants to hire an experienced chef for his restaurant.

She attempted to hire a lawyer to handle her case.

The company demands to hire only qualified candidates.

We wish to hire someone with excellent communication skills.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• delay
• imagine

Example

She recommends hiring a professional consultant for the project.

We are considering hiring a marketing specialist for our team.

He avoids hiring candidates without relevant experience.

They decided to delay hiring until they find the perfect fit.

Can you imagine hiring someone without conducting interviews?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to hire freelancers for short-term projects. They like hiring freelancers for short-term projects.

He started to hire interns for the summer. He started hiring interns for the summer.

We began to hire remote employees. We began hiring remote employees.