To Issue vs Issuing 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 issue (Infinitive)

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

Example

The company plans to issue a new product line next month.

Issuing (Gerund)

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

Example

Issuing permits requires careful consideration of the applicant's qualifications.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To issue (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To issue is the responsibility of the finance department.

  To issue is the responsibility of the finance department.

  • "*To issue*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the responsibility of the finance department).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to issue the report by tomorrow.

  She wants me to issue the report by tomorrow.

  • "Me *to issue* the report by tomorrow" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to issue* the report by tomorrow).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a printer to issue the invoices.

  We need a printer to issue the invoices.

  • "*To issue* the invoices" modifies the noun "printer."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a printer *to issue* the invoices).

Issuing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Issuing permits is an important responsibility of the local government.

  Issuing permits is an important responsibility of the local government.

  • "*Issuing* permits" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important responsibility of the local government).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys issuing certificates to deserving candidates.

  She enjoys issuing certificates to deserving candidates.

  • "*Issuing* certificates to deserving candidates" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*issuing* certificates to deserving candidates).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a knack for issuing clear instructions.

  He has a knack for issuing clear instructions.

  • "For *issuing* clear instructions" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *issuing* clear instructions).

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 issue the new policy guidelines next week.

I hope to issue the official statement soon.

He wants to issue the press release today.

We decided to issue the revised edition of the book.

They agreed to issue the refund to the customers.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy issuing rewards to outstanding employees.

We recommend issuing a public apology for the mistake.

I am considering issuing a statement regarding the issue.

He avoids issuing refunds without proper documentation.

Can you imagine issuing passports at the airport?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to issue invitations for special events. She likes issuing invitations for special events.

We started to issue monthly newsletters. We started issuing monthly newsletters.

He began to issue warning notices to violators. He began issuing warning notices to violators.