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

I want to merge the two companies to create a stronger organization.

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 the departments will lead to improved communication and 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

  She wants me to merge the departments for better collaboration.

  She wants me to merge the departments for better collaboration.

  • "Me *to merge* the departments for better collaboration" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to merge* the departments for better collaboration).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a software to merge the data seamlessly.

  We need a software to merge the data seamlessly.

  • "*To merge* the data seamlessly" modifies the noun "software."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a software *to merge* the data seamlessly).

Merging (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Merging the companies was a strategic move.

  Merging the companies was a strategic move.

  • "*Merging* the companies" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (a strategic move).
• 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

  They are considering the possibility of merging their departments.

  They are considering the possibility of merging their departments.

  • "The possibility of *merging* their departments" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are considering) + noun phrase (the possibility of *merging* their departments).

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
• want
• attempt
• choose

Example

They plan to merge the two companies by next year.

He decided to merge his business with a larger corporation.

She wants to merge the teams to increase efficiency.

We attempted to merge the two projects, but it was too complicated.

They chose to merge their resources for a joint venture.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• resist
• understand

Example

Experts recommend merging the two teams for better coordination.

We should avoid merging incompatible systems.

He is considering merging his business with a competitor.

She resisted the idea of merging her company with another.

Do you understand the benefits of merging these departments?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to merge our resources for a joint project. I would like merging our resources for a joint project.

They started to merge their businesses for mutual growth. They started merging their businesses for mutual growth.

We began to merge the data from different sources. We began merging the data from different sources.