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 want to liaise with the marketing team to discuss our new 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 teams is essential for successful project management.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To liaise (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To liaise is an important skill in project management.
To liaise is an important skill in project management.
- "*To liaise*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important skill in project management).
- 2Object
She wants me to liaise with the client on her behalf.
She wants me to liaise with the client on her behalf.
- "Me *to liaise* with the client on her behalf" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to liaise* with the client on her behalf).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a dedicated team to liaise between departments.
We need a dedicated team to liaise between departments.
- "*To liaise* between departments" modifies the noun "team."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a dedicated team *to liaise* between departments).
Liaising (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Liaising with clients requires effective communication skills.
Liaising with clients requires effective communication skills.
- "*Liaising* with clients" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (effective communication skills).
- 2Object
I enjoy liaising with stakeholders to gather feedback.
I enjoy liaising with stakeholders to gather feedback.
- "*Liaising* with stakeholders to gather feedback" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*liaising* with stakeholders to gather feedback).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has experience in liaising with international partners.
He has experience in liaising with international partners.
- "In *liaising* with international partners" is the object of the preposition "in."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience in *liaising* with international partners).
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 the IT department for technical support.
We hope to liaise with the finance team for budget approval.
He wants to liaise with the legal department for contract review.
She decided to liaise with external stakeholders for collaboration.
They agreed to liaise with the sales team for market research.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys liaising with the design team for creative collaboration.
They recommend regular liaising with stakeholders for better project outcomes.
I dislike the idea of liaising with difficult clients.
He avoids liaising with unresponsive vendors.
Can you imagine yourself liaising with high-profile clients?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to liaise with cross-functional teams. She likes liaising with cross-functional teams.
We started to liaise with the marketing department. We started liaising with the marketing department.
He began to liaise with external consultants. He began liaising with external consultants.
