When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To initiate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to initiate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to initiate the project to bring about positive change.
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 requires careful planning.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To initiate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To initiate a conversation takes courage.
To initiate a conversation takes courage.
- "*To initiate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (takes) + noun phrase (courage).
- 2Object
She wants me to initiate the meeting.
She wants me to initiate the meeting.
- "Me *to initiate* the meeting" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to initiate* the meeting).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a leader to initiate change.
We need a leader to initiate change.
- "*To initiate* change" modifies the noun "leader."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a leader *to initiate* change).
Initiating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Initiating change can be challenging.
Initiating change can be challenging.
- "*Initiating* change" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (challenging).
- 2Object
I enjoy initiating new projects.
I enjoy initiating new projects.
- "*Initiating* new projects" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*initiating* new projects).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has experience in initiating collaborations.
He has experience in initiating collaborations.
- "In *initiating* collaborations" is the object of the preposition "in."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience in *initiating* collaborations).
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 initiate the new project next month.
He hopes to initiate a discussion on this topic.
We want to initiate the reforms for a better future.
She decided to initiate the investigation into the matter.
They agreed to initiate negotiations with the other party.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys initiating conversations with strangers.
They recommend initiating the process early for better results.
I dislike the idea of initiating conflict in the workplace.
He avoids initiating unnecessary discussions.
Can you imagine yourself initiating a global movement?
