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 the team about the meeting.
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 public is part of their job.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To inform (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To inform is his responsibility as a manager.
To inform is his responsibility as a manager.
- "*To inform*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his responsibility as a manager).
- 2Object
She asked me to inform everyone about the change in schedule.
She asked me to inform everyone about the change in schedule.
- "Me *to inform* everyone about the change in schedule" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to inform* everyone about the change in schedule).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a reliable source to inform him of the latest news.
He needs a reliable source to inform him of the latest news.
- "*To inform* him of the latest news" modifies the noun "source."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a reliable source *to inform* him of the latest news).
Informing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Informing others is important in a professional setting.
Informing others is important in a professional setting.
- "*Informing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important in a professional setting).
- 2Object
We appreciate your effort in informing us about the issue.
We appreciate your effort in informing us about the issue.
- "Your effort in *informing* us about the issue" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
- Noun (We) + verb (appreciate) + gerund (your effort in *informing* us about the issue).
- 3Object of Preposition
He received an award for his exceptional informing skills.
He received an award for his exceptional informing skills.
- "For his exceptional *informing* skills" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (received) + noun phrase (an award for his exceptional *informing* skills).
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
They plan to inform the customers about the new product launch.
I hope to inform you about the decision soon.
We want to inform everyone about the upcoming event.
She decided to inform her colleagues about the project changes.
They agreed to inform the stakeholders about the outcome.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys informing the audience through her presentations.
They recommend regular informing of the team members for better coordination.
I dislike the idea of informing the clients about the delay.
He avoids informing others about his personal problems.
Can you imagine yourself informing a large crowd with confidence?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
He likes to inform his colleagues about the project updates. He likes informing his colleagues about the project updates.
She started to inform the team about the new policies. She started informing the team about the new policies.
They began to inform the customers about the upcoming sale. They began informing the customers about the upcoming sale.
