To Inaugurate vs Inaugurating 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 inaugurate (Infinitive)

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

Example

They plan to inaugurate the new building next week.

Inaugurating (Gerund)

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

Example

Inaugurating the new museum was a momentous occasion.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To inaugurate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To inaugurate is a significant event in the life of a politician.

  To inaugurate is a significant event in the life of a politician.

  • "*To inaugurate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a significant event in the life of a politician).
• 2. Object

  The mayor wants me to inaugurate the project.

  The mayor wants me to inaugurate the project.

  • "Me *to inaugurate* the project" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (The mayor) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to inaugurate* the project).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a chief guest to inaugurate the conference.

  We need a chief guest to inaugurate the conference.

  • "*To inaugurate* the conference" modifies the noun "chief guest."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a chief guest *to inaugurate* the conference).

Inaugurating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Inaugurating the stadium was a grand celebration.

  Inaugurating the stadium was a grand celebration.

  • "*Inaugurating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (a grand celebration).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy inaugurating new projects.

  I enjoy inaugurating new projects.

  • "*Inaugurating* new projects" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*inaugurating* new projects).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They expressed their excitement about inaugurating the art gallery.

  They expressed their excitement about inaugurating the art gallery.

  • "About *inaugurating* the art gallery" is the object of the preposition "about."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (expressed) + noun phrase (their excitement about *inaugurating* the art gallery).

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 inaugurate the new building next week.

We hope to inaugurate the project by the end of the year.

She wants me to inaugurate the ceremony.

He decided to inaugurate the exhibition himself.

They agreed to inaugurate the event together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys inaugurating cultural events.

They recommend inaugurating the project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

She dislikes the idea of inaugurating the building without proper preparations.

I avoid inaugurating events that I am not familiar with.

Can you imagine yourself inaugurating an international conference?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to inaugurate important projects. They like inaugurating important projects.

We started to inaugurate annual festivals. We started inaugurating annual festivals.

He began to inaugurate charity events. He began inaugurating charity events.