To Init vs Initiating 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 init (Infinitive)

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

Example

I plan to init the project next week.

Initiating (Gerund)

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

Example

Initiating the process can take some time.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To init (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To init is an important step in setting up the system.

  To init is an important step in setting up the system.

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

  She wants me to init the new software.

  She wants me to init the new software.

  • "Me *to init* the new software" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to init* the new software).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a developer to init the project.

  We need a developer to init the project.

  • "*To init* the project" modifies the noun "developer."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a developer *to init* the project).

Initiating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Initiating is a crucial step in starting a new project.

  Initiating is a crucial step in starting a new project.

  • "*Initiating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a crucial step in starting a new project).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy initiating new initiatives at work.

  I enjoy initiating new initiatives at work.

  • "*Initiating* new initiatives at work" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*initiating* new initiatives at work).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a passion for initiating innovative projects.

  They have a passion for initiating innovative projects.

  • "For *initiating* innovative projects" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a passion for *initiating* innovative projects).

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

He plans to init the system tomorrow.

They hope to init the project successfully.

She wants to init the application before the deadline.

We decided to init the program with the latest updates.

They agreed to init the database together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

He enjoys initiating discussions on new ideas.

They recommend initiating regular team meetings for better collaboration.

I avoid initiating conflicts in the workplace.

She is considering initiating a mentoring program.

Can you imagine yourself initiating positive change in your community?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to init the project as soon as possible. They would like initiating new initiatives in the company.

We started to init the process yesterday. He started initiating changes in the organization.

She began to init the system upgrade last week. We began initiating the marketing campaign today.