To Introduce vs Introducing 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 introduce (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to introduce myself to the new neighbors.

Introducing (Gerund)

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

Example

Introducing yourself is an important part of networking.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To introduce (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To introduce oneself is a common social skill.

  To introduce oneself is a common social skill.

  • "*To introduce* oneself" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common social skill).
• 2. Object

  She asked me to introduce her to the team.

  She asked me to introduce her to the team.

  • "Me *to introduce* her to the team" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to introduce* her to the team).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a speaker to introduce the event.

  We need a speaker to introduce the event.

  • "*To introduce* the event" modifies the noun "speaker."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a speaker *to introduce* the event).

Introducing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Introducing new technology is always exciting.

  Introducing new technology is always exciting.

  • "*Introducing* new technology" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (always exciting).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy introducing people at social events.

  I enjoy introducing people at social events.

  • "*Introducing* people at social events" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*introducing* people at social events).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for introducing new concepts.

  She has a talent for introducing new concepts.

  • "For *introducing* new concepts" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *introducing* new concepts).

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 introduce a new product next month.

I hope to introduce you to my family soon.

He wants to introduce his girlfriend to his parents.

We decided to introduce a new policy in the company.

They agreed to introduce a new law for safety measures.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys introducing innovative ideas to the team.

They recommend introducing regular breaks during long meetings.

I dislike the idea of introducing unnecessary rules.

She avoids introducing controversial topics in discussions.

Can you imagine yourself introducing a guest speaker to a large audience?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to introduce myself in a confident manner. I like introducing new ideas to the team.

They started to introduce a new program at the school. They started introducing changes to the curriculum.

He began to introduce himself to each member of the team. He began introducing himself to potential clients.