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To Implore vs Imploring Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To implore (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to implore them to reconsider their decision.

Imploring (Gerund)

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

Example

Imploring them is my only option.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To implore (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To implore is my last resort.

    To implore is my last resort.

    • "*To implore*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (my last resort).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to implore them for help.

    She wants me to implore them for help.

    • "Me *to implore* them for help" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to implore* them for help).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a reason to implore them.

    I need a reason to implore them.

    • "*To implore* them" modifies the noun "reason."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reason *to implore* them).

Imploring (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Imploring is not always effective.

    Imploring is not always effective.

    • "*Imploring*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not always effective).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy imploring people for help.

    I enjoy imploring people for help.

    • "*Imploring* people for help" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*imploring* people for help).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a talent for imploring others.

    She has a talent for imploring others.

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

Example

She plans to implore them for forgiveness.

They hope to implore the judge for leniency.

He wants to implore his parents for permission.

We decided to implore the company for a raise.

They agreed to implore the government for change.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys imploring her friends for advice.

They recommend imploring the authorities for assistance.

I dislike the idea of imploring strangers for money.

He avoids imploring his boss for a promotion.

Can you imagine yourself imploring a celebrity for an autograph?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to implore her parents for help. She likes imploring her parents for help.

We started to implore the council for action. We started imploring the council for action.

He began to implore his colleagues for support. He began imploring his colleagues for support.

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