When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To innovate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to innovate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to innovate new solutions to solve complex problems.
Innovating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "innovating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Innovating requires a creative mindset and openness to new ideas.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To innovate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To innovate is essential for the growth of any organization.
To innovate is essential for the growth of any organization.
- "*To innovate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (essential).
- 2Object
She encourages her team members to innovate and think outside the box.
She encourages her team members to innovate and think outside the box.
- "Her team members *to innovate* and think outside the box" is the object of the verb "encourages."
- Noun (She) + verb (encourages) + noun phrase (her team members *to innovate* and think outside the box).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need an innovative approach to solve this problem.
We need an innovative approach to solve this problem.
- "An innovative approach *to solve* this problem" modifies the noun "approach."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (an innovative approach *to solve* this problem).
Innovating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Innovating is a key factor in staying ahead of the competition.
Innovating is a key factor in staying ahead of the competition.
- "*Innovating*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a key factor in staying ahead of the competition).
- 2Object
They enjoy innovating and finding innovative solutions to problems.
They enjoy innovating and finding innovative solutions to problems.
- "*Innovating* and finding innovative solutions to problems" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (They) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*innovating* and finding innovative solutions to problems).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a passion for innovating in the field of medicine.
He has a passion for innovating in the field of medicine.
- "For *innovating* in the field of medicine" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *innovating* in the field of medicine).
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 innovate new products in the coming year.
He hopes to innovate in the field of technology.
We want to innovate and disrupt the market.
She decided to innovate her business model.
They agreed to innovate their manufacturing process.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys innovating and creating new designs.
They recommend innovating regularly to keep up with changing trends.
He avoids innovating without thorough research and analysis.
Can you imagine yourself innovating groundbreaking technologies?
We understand the importance of innovating in a competitive market.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
They like to innovate and explore new possibilities. They like innovating and exploring new possibilities.
She started to innovate early in her career. She started innovating early in her career.
He began to innovate after attending a conference on innovation. He began innovating after attending a conference on innovation.
