To Merge vs Merging 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 merge (Infinitive)

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

Example

The two companies agreed to merge in order to expand their market share.

Merging (Gerund)

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

Example

Merging two departments can lead to improved collaboration.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To merge (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To merge is a complex process that requires careful planning.

  To merge is a complex process that requires careful planning.

  • "*To merge*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a complex process that requires careful planning).
• 2. Object

  They want us to merge our resources with theirs.

  They want us to merge our resources with theirs.

  • "Us *to merge* our resources with theirs" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to merge* our resources with theirs).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a skilled team to merge the two departments effectively.

  We need a skilled team to merge the two departments effectively.

  • "*To merge* the two departments effectively" modifies the noun "team."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a skilled team *to merge* the two departments effectively).

Merging (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Merging different cultures requires sensitivity and understanding.

  Merging different cultures requires sensitivity and understanding.

  • "*Merging* different cultures" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (sensitivity and understanding).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy merging different ideas to create innovative solutions.

  I enjoy merging different ideas to create innovative solutions.

  • "*Merging* different ideas to create innovative solutions" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*merging* different ideas to create innovative solutions).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for merging diverse perspectives.

  She has a talent for merging diverse perspectives.

  • "For *merging* diverse perspectives" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *merging* diverse perspectives).

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
• decide
• hope
• refuse
• attempt

Example

They plan to merge their operations next year.

We decided to merge our companies for better efficiency.

She hopes to merge her business with a larger corporation.

He refused to merge his company with theirs.

They attempted to merge their products into a single line.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• mind
• discuss

Example

They recommend merging the two teams for better coordination.

We are considering merging our departments to streamline operations.

He avoids merging conflicting interests in his projects.

I don't mind merging my tasks with yours.

Let's discuss the possibility of merging our companies.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to merge our efforts for a common goal. I would like merging our efforts for a common goal.

They started to merge their departments to improve efficiency. They started merging their departments to improve efficiency.

We began to merge our resources for a joint project. We began merging our resources for a joint project.