When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To incur (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to incur" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I don't want to incur any additional expenses.
Incurring (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "incurring" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Incurring unnecessary expenses is unwise.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To incur (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To incur such high costs is not advisable.
To incur such high costs is not advisable.
- "*To incur* such high costs" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (not advisable).
- 2Object
They expect us to incur some losses in the project.
They expect us to incur some losses in the project.
- "Us *to incur* some losses in the project" is the object of the verb "expect."
- Noun (They) + verb (expect) + noun phrase (us *to incur* some losses in the project).
- 3Adverb Modifier
She works hard to incur less debt.
She works hard to incur less debt.
- "*To incur* less debt" modifies the verb "works."
- Noun (She) + verb (works) + adverb phrase (hard *to incur* less debt).
Incurring (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Incurring debts can lead to financial problems.
Incurring debts can lead to financial problems.
- "*Incurring* debts" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead) + noun phrase (financial problems).
- 2Object
I regret incurring such a huge loss.
I regret incurring such a huge loss.
- "*Incurring* such a huge loss" is the object of the verb "regret."
- Noun (I) + verb (regret) + gerund (*incurring* such a huge loss).
- 3Object of Preposition
They are responsible for incurring all the expenses.
They are responsible for incurring all the expenses.
- "For *incurring* all the expenses" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (They) + verb (are) + noun phrase (responsible for *incurring* all the expenses).
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
We plan to incur minimal expenses on our vacation.
I hope not to incur any penalties for late payment.
He wants to incur as little risk as possible.
They decided to incur the cost for a better outcome.
We all agreed to incur the necessary expenses for the project.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He tries to avoid incurring unnecessary expenses.
Experts recommend avoiding incurring debt whenever possible.
I don't mind incurring a little extra cost for quality.
We are considering incurring the expense for better results.
They decided to postpone incurring any additional expenses.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I would like to incur minimal expenses. I would like incurring minimal expenses.
They started to incur significant losses. They started incurring significant losses.
She began to incur unexpected costs. She began incurring unexpected costs.
