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 want to mention a few important points in my presentation.

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 specific examples can strengthen your argument.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To mention (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To mention something in passing is not enough.

  To mention something in passing is not enough.

  • "*To mention* something in passing" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (something in passing).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to mention her name during the speech.

  She wants me to mention her name during the speech.

  • "Me *to mention* her name during the speech" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to mention* her name during the speech).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a pen to mention the important details.

  I need a pen to mention the important details.

  • "*To mention* the important details" modifies the noun "pen."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a pen *to mention* the important details).

Mentioning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Mentioning names is not appropriate in this context.

  Mentioning names is not appropriate in this context.

  • "*Mentioning* names" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (names).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy mentioning interesting facts in my presentations.

  I enjoy mentioning interesting facts in my presentations.

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

  She has a habit of mentioning her achievements.

  She has a habit of mentioning her achievements.

  • "Of *mentioning* her achievements" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *mentioning* her achievements).

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 mention the new project during the meeting.

They hope to mention their achievements in the report.

He wants to mention the upcoming event in his email.

We decided to mention the issue in our discussion.

They agreed to mention the changes in the policy.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys mentioning new ideas in team meetings.

They recommend mentioning relevant experience in your cover letter.

I dislike the practice of mentioning personal issues in professional emails.

He avoids mentioning controversial topics in conversations.

Can you imagine yourself mentioning your accomplishments in a job interview?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to mention her sources in academic papers. She likes mentioning her sources in academic papers.

We started to mention the potential risks. We started mentioning the potential risks.

He began to mention his concerns during the meeting. He began mentioning his concerns during the meeting.