To Mention vs Mentioning 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 mention (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to mention something important during the meeting.

Mentioning (Gerund)

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

Example

Mentioning your experience will strengthen your resume.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To mention (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To mention the issue is crucial for finding a solution.

  To mention the issue is crucial for finding a solution.

  • "*To mention* the issue" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (crucial for finding a solution).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to mention his name in the report.

  He wants me to mention his name in the report.

  • "Me *to mention* his name in the report" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to mention* his name in the report).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  She needs a reminder to mention the deadline.

  She needs a reminder to mention the deadline.

  • "*To mention* the deadline" modifies the noun "reminder."
  • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a reminder *to mention* the deadline).

Mentioning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Mentioning the incident caused a stir in the office.

  Mentioning the incident caused a stir in the office.

  • "*Mentioning* the incident" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (caused) + noun phrase (a stir in the office).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy mentioning interesting facts during conversations.

  I enjoy mentioning interesting facts during conversations.

  • "*Mentioning* interesting facts during conversations" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*mentioning* interesting facts during conversations).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for mentioning relevant examples.

  She has a talent for mentioning relevant examples.

  • "For *mentioning* relevant examples" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *mentioning* relevant examples).

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 mention the new project at the meeting tomorrow.

I hope to mention my achievements during the interview.

She wants to mention her concerns to the manager.

We decided to mention the budget constraints in the presentation.

They agreed to mention the potential risks in the proposal.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They like mentioning their achievements in public.

He started mentioning the company's new products in his presentations.

She began mentioning her hobbies in her introduction.

We avoid mentioning sensitive topics in our discussions.

Can you imagine mentioning that idea during the meeting?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• consider
• forget

Example

I recommend to mention this issue in your email. I recommend mentioning this issue in your email.

They considered to mention the proposal in their presentation. They considered mentioning the proposal in their presentation.

Don't forget to mention your availability for the event. Don't forget mentioning your availability for the event.