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To Launch vs Launching Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

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

I want to launch my own business.

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 rocket into space is an incredible feat of engineering.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To launch (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To launch a new product requires careful planning and execution.

    To launch a new product requires careful planning and execution.

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

    She wants me to launch the project.

    She wants me to launch the project.

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

    I need a platform to launch my website.

    I need a platform to launch my website.

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

Launching (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Launching a new website requires attention to detail.

    Launching a new website requires attention to detail.

    • "*Launching* a new website" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (attention to detail).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy launching creative projects.

    I enjoy launching creative projects.

    • "*Launching* creative projects" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*launching* creative projects).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a passion for launching startups.

    She has a passion for launching startups.

    • "For *launching* startups" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *launching* startups).

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

Example

She plans to launch a new marketing campaign next month.

They hope to launch their new app by the end of the year.

He wants to launch a fashion line.

We decided to launch a fundraising campaign for charity.

They agreed to launch a joint venture together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys launching new products in the market.

They recommend launching a social media campaign for brand awareness.

I dislike the idea of launching a risky venture.

He avoids launching projects without proper research.

Can you imagine yourself launching a successful startup?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to launch her own clothing line. She likes launching innovative projects.

We started to launch our own business. We started launching new products.

He began to launch his career in the music industry. He began launching his own record label.

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