When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To liaise (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to liaise" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I need to liaise with the marketing team for the campaign.
Liaising (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "liaising" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Liaising with different stakeholders is crucial for project success.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To liaise (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To liaise with other departments is an important part of project management.
To liaise with other departments is an important part of project management.
- "*To liaise* with other departments" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important part of project management).
- 2Object
She wants me to liaise with the clients.
She wants me to liaise with the clients.
- "Me *to liaise* with the clients" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to liaise* with the clients).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a dedicated person to liaise between different teams.
We need a dedicated person to liaise between different teams.
- "*To liaise* between different teams" modifies the noun "person."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a dedicated person *to liaise* between different teams).
Liaising (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Liaising with clients is a key responsibility of the account manager.
Liaising with clients is a key responsibility of the account manager.
- "*Liaising* with clients" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a key responsibility of the account manager).
- 2Object
I enjoy liaising with various teams to coordinate projects.
I enjoy liaising with various teams to coordinate projects.
- "*Liaising* with various teams to coordinate projects" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*liaising* with various teams to coordinate projects).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for liaising effectively with different departments.
She has a talent for liaising effectively with different departments.
- "For *liaising* effectively with different departments" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *liaising* effectively with different departments).
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
They plan to liaise with external partners for the project.
He hopes to liaise with the finance department for budget approval.
She wants to liaise with the design team for creative input.
We decided to liaise with the IT department for technical support.
They agreed to liaise with the legal team for contract review.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys liaising with cross-functional teams on complex projects.
They recommend regularly liaising with stakeholders for effective communication.
I dislike the idea of liaising with difficult clients.
She avoids liaising with uncooperative team members.
Can you imagine yourself liaising with international partners?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
We like to liaise directly with the suppliers. We like liaising directly with the suppliers.
He started to liaise with the sales team for market research. He started liaising with the sales team for market research.
She began to liaise with the HR department for recruitment. She began liaising with the HR department for recruitment.
