To Implement vs Implementing 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 implement (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to implement a new strategy to improve our productivity.

Implementing (Gerund)

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

Example

Implementing the new system will streamline our processes.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To implement (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To implement this plan requires careful consideration.

  To implement this plan requires careful consideration.

  • "*To implement* this plan" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful consideration).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to implement the changes immediately.

  She wants me to implement the changes immediately.

  • "Me *to implement* the changes immediately" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to implement* the changes immediately).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a skilled team to implement the project successfully.

  We need a skilled team to implement the project successfully.

  • "*To implement* the project successfully" modifies the noun "team."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a skilled team *to implement* the project successfully).

Implementing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Implementing this plan requires coordination between departments.

  Implementing this plan requires coordination between departments.

  • "*Implementing* this plan" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (coordination between departments).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy implementing innovative ideas in my work.

  I enjoy implementing innovative ideas in my work.

  • "*Implementing* innovative ideas in my work" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*implementing* innovative ideas in my work).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for implementing sustainable practices.

  She has a passion for implementing sustainable practices.

  • "For *implementing* sustainable practices" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *implementing* sustainable practices).

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 implement the new policy next month.

I hope to implement the changes gradually.

He wants to implement the new technology in our company.

We decided to implement a new marketing strategy.

They agreed to implement the recommendations.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy implementing new technologies in their projects.

Experts recommend implementing regular performance evaluations.

I dislike the idea of implementing strict regulations.

He avoids implementing unnecessary changes.

Can you imagine yourself implementing a global initiative?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to implement creative solutions. She likes implementing creative solutions.

We started to implement the new software. We started implementing the new software.

He began to implement the project plan. He began implementing the project plan.