To Marshal vs Marshaling 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 marshal (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to marshal the event to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Marshaling (Gerund)

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

Example

Marshaling requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To marshal (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To marshal is a crucial role in organizing a successful event.

  To marshal is a crucial role in organizing a successful event.

  • "*To marshal*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a crucial role in organizing a successful event).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to marshal the participants.

  She wants me to marshal the participants.

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

  I need a team to marshal the event.

  I need a team to marshal the event.

  • "*To marshal* the event" modifies the noun "team."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a team *to marshal* the event).

Marshaling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Marshaling is an important task in event management.

  Marshaling is an important task in event management.

  • "*Marshaling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important task in event management).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy marshaling the crowd during events.

  I enjoy marshaling the crowd during events.

  • "*Marshaling* the crowd during events" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*marshaling* the crowd during events).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for marshaling resources effectively.

  She has a talent for marshaling resources effectively.

  • "For *marshaling* resources effectively" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *marshaling* resources effectively).

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

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

She plans to marshal the conference next month.

They hope to marshal the parade this year.

He wants to marshal the race to ensure fairness.

We decided to marshal the concert for charity.

They agreed to marshal the festival together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys marshaling volunteers for community events.

They recommend marshaling experience for event planning.

I dislike the idea of marshaling large crowds.

He avoids marshaling in chaotic situations.

Can you imagine yourself marshaling a major event?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to marshal the logistics of the event. She likes marshaling the logistics of the event.

We started to marshal events for local organizations. We started marshaling events for local organizations.

He began to marshal the participants for the competition. He began marshaling the participants for the competition.