To Launch vs Launching 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 launch (Infinitive)

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

Example

We plan to launch a new product next month.

Launching (Gerund)

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

Example

Launching a new website can be challenging.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To launch (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To launch a rocket requires careful planning and execution.

  To launch a rocket requires careful planning and execution.

  • "*To launch* a rocket" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful planning and execution).
• 2. Object

  They want us to launch the campaign on social media.

  They want us to launch the campaign on social media.

  • "Us *to launch* the campaign on social media" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to launch* the campaign on social media).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a platform to launch our website.

  We need a platform to launch our website.

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

Launching (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Launching a startup requires dedication and hard work.

  Launching a startup requires dedication and hard work.

  • "*Launching* a startup" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (dedication and hard work).
• 2. Object

  We enjoy launching new products and seeing the customer response.

  We enjoy launching new products and seeing the customer response.

  • "*Launching* new products and seeing the customer response" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (We) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*launching* new products and seeing the customer response).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for launching successful marketing campaigns.

  He has a talent for launching successful marketing campaigns.

  • "For *launching* successful marketing campaigns" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *launching* successful marketing campaigns).

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

• decide
• hope
• want
• plan
• attempt

Example

They decided to launch the new app globally.

I hope to launch my own business someday.

She wants to launch a new line of products.

We are planning to launch a fundraising campaign.

He attempted to launch a startup but it didn't succeed.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

They enjoy launching creative advertising campaigns.

Experts recommend launching a pilot program before scaling up.

We should avoid launching the product without proper testing.

She is considering launching her own fashion brand.

Imagine launching your own online store and reaching customers worldwide.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to launch a career in the music industry. I would like launching my own business.

He started to launch his own company. He started launching new products.

We began to launch our marketing campaign. We began launching our new line of products.