To Induce vs Inducing 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 induce (Infinitive)

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

Example

The doctor wants to induce labor to help with the delivery.

Inducing (Gerund)

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

Example

Inducing labor can be a complex procedure.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To induce (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To induce labor requires medical intervention.

  To induce labor requires medical intervention.

  • "*To induce* labor" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (medical intervention).
• 2. Object

  She asked him to induce her labor.

  She asked him to induce her labor.

  • "Him *to induce* her labor" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to induce* her labor).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  They need a method to induce sleep.

  They need a method to induce sleep.

  • "*To induce* sleep" modifies the noun "method."
  • Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a method *to induce* sleep).

Inducing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Inducing labor requires careful monitoring.

  Inducing labor requires careful monitoring.

  • "*Inducing* labor" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful monitoring).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy inducing a state of relaxation in my clients.

  I enjoy inducing a state of relaxation in my clients.

  • "*Inducing* a state of relaxation" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*inducing* a state of relaxation).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for inducing positive emotions.

  She has a talent for inducing positive emotions.

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

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

The couple plans to induce labor next week.

I hope to induce relaxation with this music.

He wants to induce a sense of calm in his patients.

They decided to induce vomiting to remove toxins.

The doctors agreed to induce labor for the safety of the mother and baby.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

He enjoys inducing laughter in others.

Doctors recommend inducing labor in certain situations.

Pregnant women are advised to avoid inducing labor prematurely.

They are considering inducing a state of deep relaxation through meditation.

Can you imagine inducing happiness in everyone you meet?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to induce a feeling of serenity. I would like inducing a feeling of serenity.

We started to induce labor using various techniques. We started inducing labor using various techniques.

He began to induce sleep by practicing good sleep hygiene. He began inducing sleep by practicing good sleep hygiene.