To Liaise vs Liaising 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 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 this project.

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 departments is crucial for project coordination.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To liaise (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To liaise with clients is an important part of my job.

  To liaise with clients is an important part of my job.

  • "*To liaise* with clients" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important part of my job).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to liaise with the suppliers.

  She wants me to liaise with the suppliers.

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

  We need a dedicated person to liaise between the two departments.

  We need a dedicated person to liaise between the two departments.

  • "*To liaise* between the two departments" modifies the noun "person."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a dedicated person *to liaise* between the two departments).

Liaising (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Liaising with clients requires good communication skills.

  Liaising with clients requires good communication skills.

  • "*Liaising* with clients" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (good communication skills).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy liaising with suppliers to negotiate better deals.

  I enjoy liaising with suppliers to negotiate better deals.

  • "*Liaising* with suppliers to negotiate better deals" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*liaising* with suppliers to negotiate better deals).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for liaising between different teams.

  She has a talent for liaising between different teams.

  • "For *liaising* between different teams" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *liaising* between different teams).

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

• agree
• plan
• decide
• hope
• want

Example

They agreed to liaise with the external stakeholders.

We plan to liaise with the IT department for technical support.

She decided to liaise with the legal team for advice.

I hope to liaise with the finance department to discuss budget allocation.

He wants to liaise with the design team for creative input.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

He enjoys liaising with the marketing team for collaborative projects.

They recommend regular liaising with stakeholders for effective communication.

We avoid unnecessary liaising with unresponsive departments.

Can you imagine yourself liaising with international clients?

She is considering liaising with external consultants for expert advice.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to liaise with the sales team for market insights. I would like liaising with the sales team for market insights.

They started to liaise with the HR department for recruitment purposes. They started liaising with the HR department for recruitment purposes.

He began to liaise with the logistics team for shipping arrangements. He began liaising with the logistics team for shipping arrangements.