To Interact vs Interacting 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 interact (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to interact with people from different cultures.

Interacting (Gerund)

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

Example

Interacting with others is an important aspect of teamwork.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To interact (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To interact is essential for building strong relationships.

  To interact is essential for building strong relationships.

  • "*To interact*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for building strong relationships).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to interact with her colleagues.

  She wants me to interact with her colleagues.

  • "Me *to interact* with her colleagues" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to interact* with her colleagues).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a platform to interact with our customers.

  We need a platform to interact with our customers.

  • "*To interact* with our customers" modifies the noun "platform."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to interact* with our customers).

Interacting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Interacting with colleagues can lead to new ideas.

  Interacting with colleagues can lead to new ideas.

  • "*Interacting* with colleagues" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead) + noun phrase (to new ideas).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy interacting with customers.

  I enjoy interacting with customers.

  • "*Interacting* with customers" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*interacting* with customers).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for interacting with different personalities.

  She has a talent for interacting with different personalities.

  • "For *interacting*" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *interacting* with different personalities).

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

They plan to interact with experts in the field.

I hope to interact with like-minded individuals.

He wants to interact with the audience during the presentation.

We decided to interact with customers through social media.

They agreed to interact with the community for feedback.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

He enjoys interacting with his teammates on the field.

They recommend regular interacting for effective communication.

She avoids interacting with negative individuals.

We are considering interacting with industry experts.

Can you imagine yourself interacting with world leaders?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to interact with new people. She likes interacting with new people.

They started to interact more actively in meetings. They started interacting more actively in meetings.

He began to interact with the team members. He began interacting with the team members.