To Inform vs Informing 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 inform (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to inform my colleagues about the change in schedule.

Informing (Gerund)

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

Example

Informing the customers is essential for building trust.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To inform (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To inform is my duty as a manager.

  To inform is my duty as a manager.

  • "*To inform*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (my duty as a manager).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to inform her about the meeting details.

  She wants me to inform her about the meeting details.

  • "Me *to inform* her about the meeting details" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to inform* her about the meeting details).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a reliable source to inform us about the latest news.

  We need a reliable source to inform us about the latest news.

  • "*To inform* us about the latest news" modifies the noun "source."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reliable source *to inform* us about the latest news).

Informing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Informing the public is the responsibility of the government.

  Informing the public is the responsibility of the government.

  • "*Informing* the public" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the responsibility of the government).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy informing people about the latest trends.

  I enjoy informing people about the latest trends.

  • "*Informing* people about the latest trends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*informing* people about the latest trends).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for informing others effectively.

  He has a talent for informing others effectively.

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

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

• decide
• hope
• plan
• want
• attempt

Example

They decided to inform the team about the new project.

I hope to inform everyone about the upcoming event.

We plan to inform the customers about the product launch.

He wants to inform his clients about the new services.

She attempted to inform the public about the safety measures.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• mind
• postpone

Example

They recommend informing the customers about the product features.

We should avoid informing false information to the public.

She is considering informing her team about the new policy.

I don't mind informing the audience about the event details.

They postponed informing the shareholders about the financial results.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He likes to inform his clients personally. He likes informing his clients personally.

We started to inform the employees about the company's goals. We started informing the employees about the company's goals.

She began to inform the team about the project timeline. She began informing the team about the project timeline.