To Identify vs Identifying 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 identify (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to identify the source of the problem.

Identifying (Gerund)

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

Example

Identifying the problem is the first step towards finding a solution.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To identify (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To identify the culprit is our main objective.

  To identify the culprit is our main objective.

  • "*To identify* the culprit" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (our main objective).
• 2. Object

  They asked me to identify the suspect.

  They asked me to identify the suspect.

  • "Me *to identify* the suspect" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (They) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to identify* the suspect).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a tool to identify the problem.

  We need a tool to identify the problem.

  • "*To identify* the problem" modifies the noun "tool."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a tool *to identify* the problem).

Identifying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Identifying potential risks is crucial in business.

  Identifying potential risks is crucial in business.

  • "*Identifying* potential risks" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (crucial in business).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy identifying new trends in the market.

  I enjoy identifying new trends in the market.

  • "*Identifying* new trends in the market" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*identifying* new trends in the market).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for identifying hidden talents in others.

  She has a talent for identifying hidden talents in others.

  • "For *identifying* hidden talents in others" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *identifying* hidden talents in others).

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

She plans to identify the cause of the issue tomorrow.

They hope to identify the solution to the problem soon.

He wants to identify the key factors affecting the project.

We decided to identify the weaknesses in our strategy.

They agreed to identify the opportunities for growth.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• postpone
• understand

Example

They recommend identifying potential customers before launching the product.

We are considering identifying new target markets.

He avoids identifying individuals without proper identification.

Let's postpone identifying the winners until next week.

Can you understand the importance of identifying customer needs?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to identify patterns in data. She likes identifying patterns in data.

We started to identify potential risks. We started identifying potential risks.

He began to identify the root causes of the problem. He began identifying the root causes of the problem.