To Input vs Inputting 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 input (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to input the data into the system.

Inputting (Gerund)

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

Example

Inputting the data is a time-consuming task.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To input (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To input is an essential step in the process.

  To input is an essential step in the process.

  • "*To input*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential step in the process).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to input the information.

  She wants me to input the information.

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

  I need a keyboard to input the commands.

  I need a keyboard to input the commands.

  • "*To input* the commands" modifies the noun "keyboard."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a keyboard *to input* the commands).

Inputting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Inputting is an important part of the job.

  Inputting is an important part of the job.

  • "*Inputting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important part of the job).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy inputting information into the system.

  I enjoy inputting information into the system.

  • "*Inputting* information into the system" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*inputting* information into the system).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for inputting data quickly.

  She has a talent for inputting data quickly.

  • "For *inputting* data quickly" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *inputting* data quickly).

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 input the data tomorrow.

They hope to input all the details correctly.

She wants to input the information into the database.

We decided to input the data manually.

They agreed to input the numbers into the spreadsheet.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys inputting the numbers into the spreadsheet.

They recommend using a software for inputting data efficiently.

I dislike the task of inputting large amounts of data.

She avoids inputting errors into the system.

Can you imagine yourself inputting information for hours?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to input the data manually. She likes inputting the data manually.

We started to input the information into the database. We started inputting the information into the database.

He began to input the numbers into the spreadsheet. He began inputting the numbers into the spreadsheet.