To Imply vs Implying 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 imply (Infinitive)

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

Example

His statement implies that he is guilty.

Implying (Gerund)

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

Example

Implying guilt without evidence is unfair.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To imply (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To imply is a subtle way of conveying a message.

  To imply is a subtle way of conveying a message.

  • "*To imply*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a subtle way of conveying a message).
• 2. Object

  She wants him to imply his intentions.

  She wants him to imply his intentions.

  • "Him *to imply* his intentions" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (him *to imply* his intentions).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a clear explanation to imply his innocence.

  I need a clear explanation to imply his innocence.

  • "*To imply* his innocence" modifies the noun "explanation."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a clear explanation *to imply* his innocence).

Implying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Implying can be misinterpreted easily.

  Implying can be misinterpreted easily.

  • "*Implying*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (misinterpreted easily).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy implying my intentions subtly.

  I enjoy implying my intentions subtly.

  • "*Implying* my intentions subtly" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*implying* my intentions subtly).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for implying hidden meanings.

  She has a talent for implying hidden meanings.

  • "For *implying* hidden meanings" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *implying* hidden meanings).

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

• suggest
• deny
• refuse
• attempt
• demand

Example

The evidence suggests to imply foul play.

He denies to imply any wrongdoing.

She refused to imply her involvement in the scheme.

They attempted to imply a different outcome.

The letter demands to imply immediate action.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• admit
• resist
• practice
• understand

Example

They are considering implying a change in policy.

He admitted implying his involvement in the scandal.

I can't resist implying my opinion in conversations.

She practices implying empathy in her counseling sessions.

Do you understand the art of implying through silence?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to imply hidden messages in her writing. She likes implying hidden messages in her writing.

We started to imply our dissatisfaction with the current situation. We started implying our dissatisfaction with the current situation.

He began to imply a deeper meaning behind his words. He began implying a deeper meaning behind his words.