To Maximise vs Maximising 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 maximise (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to maximise my productivity at work.

Maximising (Gerund)

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

Example

Maximising your resources can lead to higher efficiency.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To maximise (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To maximise profits is the goal of every business.

  To maximise profits is the goal of every business.

  • "*To maximise* profits" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the goal of every business).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to maximise efficiency in the project.

  She wants me to maximise efficiency in the project.

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

  We need a strategy to maximise our chances of success.

  We need a strategy to maximise our chances of success.

  • "*To maximise* our chances of success" modifies the noun "strategy."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to maximise* our chances of success).

Maximising (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Maximising profits is crucial for business growth.

  Maximising profits is crucial for business growth.

  • "*Maximising* profits" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (crucial for business growth).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy maximising my potential in every opportunity.

  I enjoy maximising my potential in every opportunity.

  • "*Maximising* my potential in every opportunity" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*maximising* my potential in every opportunity).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are committed to maximising customer satisfaction.

  They are committed to maximising customer satisfaction.

  • "*Maximising* customer satisfaction" is the object of the preposition "to."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are) + preposition (to) + gerund (*maximising* customer satisfaction).

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

They plan to maximise their profits next year.

I hope to maximise my potential in this job.

He wants to maximise his time management skills.

She decided to maximise her savings by cutting expenses.

We agreed to maximise customer satisfaction.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys maximising her team's performance.

Experts recommend maximising your online presence.

I dislike the idea of maximising profits at the expense of employee well-being.

He avoids maximising risks in his investment portfolio.

Can you imagine maximising your productivity with the right tools?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to maximise their return on investment. They like maximising their return on investment.

We started to maximise our sales strategies. We started maximising our sales strategies.

He began to maximise his personal development opportunities. He began maximising his personal development opportunities.