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 a new project.
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 a conversation can lead to meaningful connections.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To initiate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To initiate a conversation requires confidence.
To initiate a conversation requires confidence.
- "*To initiate* a conversation" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (confidence).
- 2Object
She wants me to initiate the discussion.
She wants me to initiate the discussion.
- "Me *to initiate* the discussion" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to initiate* the discussion).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a leader to initiate the changes.
We need a leader to initiate the changes.
- "*To initiate* the changes" modifies the noun "leader."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a leader *to initiate* the changes).
Initiating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Initiating contact is important in building relationships.
Initiating contact is important in building relationships.
- "*Initiating* contact" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important in building relationships).
- 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
She has a talent for initiating conversations.
She has a talent for initiating conversations.
- "For *initiating* conversations" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *initiating* conversations).
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 project next month.
I hope to initiate a positive change in the community.
He wants to initiate a discussion on the topic.
We decided to initiate a new marketing strategy.
They agreed to initiate the negotiations with the client.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys initiating team-building activities.
They recommend initiating a mentorship program for new employees.
I dislike the idea of initiating conflict in the workplace.
She avoids initiating difficult conversations.
Can you imagine yourself initiating a startup company?
