To Indicate vs Indicating 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 indicate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to indicate my preferences in the survey.

Indicating (Gerund)

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

Example

Indicating your preferences is important in the survey.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To indicate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To indicate is an important step in the process.

  To indicate is an important step in the process.

  • "*To indicate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in the process).
• 2. Object

  She asked me to indicate my availability.

  She asked me to indicate my availability.

  • "Me *to indicate* my availability" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to indicate* my availability).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a sign to indicate the way to the parking lot.

  We need a sign to indicate the way to the parking lot.

  • "*To indicate* the way to the parking lot" modifies the noun "sign."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a sign *to indicate* the way to the parking lot).

Indicating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Indicating your preferences helps us improve our services.

  Indicating your preferences helps us improve our services.

  • "*Indicating* your preferences" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (helps) + noun phrase (us improve our services).
• 2. Object

  They appreciate indicating their preferences in the survey.

  They appreciate indicating their preferences in the survey.

  • "*Indicating* their preferences in the survey" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
  • Noun (They) + verb (appreciate) + gerund (*indicating* their preferences in the survey).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for indicating directions.

  He has a talent for indicating directions.

  • "For *indicating* directions" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *indicating* directions).

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 indicate their preferences during the meeting.

He hopes to indicate his interest in the job.

She wants to indicate her approval of the proposal.

I decided to indicate my choice on the form.

We agreed to indicate our support for the cause.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys indicating her preferences in surveys.

They recommend indicating your dietary restrictions when dining out.

I dislike indicating my income on financial forms.

He avoids indicating his political affiliations in public.

Can you imagine indicating your emotions through facial expressions?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to indicate my preferences clearly. I like indicating my preferences clearly.

We started to indicate our availability for the event. We started indicating our availability for the event.

He began to indicate his interest in the project. He began indicating his interest in the project.