To Impend vs Impending 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 impend (Infinitive)

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

Example

The storm impended, so we decided to stay indoors.

Impending (Gerund)

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

Example

Impending storms often cause panic among the residents.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To impend (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To impend is a sign of danger.

  To impend is a sign of danger.

  • "*To impend*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of danger).
• 2. Object

  He wants us to prepare for the impending storm.

  He wants us to prepare for the impending storm.

  • "Us *to prepare* for the impending storm" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (us *to prepare* for the impending storm).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need more information to assess the impending threat.

  We need more information to assess the impending threat.

  • "*To assess* the impending threat" modifies the noun "information."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (more information *to assess* the impending threat).

Impending (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Impending deadlines can be stressful.

  Impending deadlines can be stressful.

  • "*Impending* deadlines" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (stressful).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys preparing for the impending exam.

  She enjoys preparing for the impending exam.

  • "*Preparing* for the *impending* exam" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*preparing* for the *impending* exam).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are worried about the impending economic crisis.

  They are worried about the impending economic crisis.

  • "About the *impending* economic crisis" is the object of the preposition "about."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are worried) + prepositional phrase (about the *impending* economic crisis).

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 impend strict measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

I hope to impend positive changes in the company's policies.

She wants to impend harsh consequences for those who break the law.

We decided to impend immediate action to address the issue.

They agreed to impend stricter regulations on the use of plastic bags.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• imagine
• resist

Example

We should avoid ignoring the impending warning signs.

Experts recommend preparing for the impending hurricane season.

They are considering postponing the event due to the impending rain.

Can you imagine facing the impending danger without any help?

It's hard to resist worrying about the impending doom.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She doesn't like to impend negative outcomes. She doesn't like impending negative outcomes.

We started to impend stricter regulations. We started impending stricter regulations.

He began to impend his resignation. He began impending his resignation.