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To Officialize vs Officializing Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To officialize (Infinitive)

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

Example

They plan to officialize their relationship with a wedding ceremony.

Officializing (Gerund)

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

Example

Officializing their relationship was an important step for them.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To officialize (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To officialize the agreement, both parties must sign the contract.

    To officialize the agreement, both parties must sign the contract.

    • "*To officialize* the agreement" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (must) + verb phrase (sign the contract).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to officialize the document.

    She wants me to officialize the document.

    • "Me *to officialize* the document" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to officialize* the document).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    We need a witness to officialize the marriage.

    We need a witness to officialize the marriage.

    • "*To officialize* the marriage" modifies the noun "witness."
    • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a witness *to officialize* the marriage).

Officializing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Officializing the merger took several months of negotiations.

    Officializing the merger took several months of negotiations.

    • "*Officializing* the merger" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (took) + noun phrase (several months of negotiations).
  • 2Object

    He enjoys officializing important documents.

    He enjoys officializing important documents.

    • "*Officializing* important documents" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
    • Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*officializing* important documents).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a talent for officializing complex processes.

    She has a talent for officializing complex processes.

    • "For *officializing* complex processes" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *officializing* complex processes).

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

Example

They plan to officialize their partnership next month.

I hope to officialize the deal by the end of the week.

He wants to officialize their friendship with a handshake.

We decided to officialize our collaboration through a written agreement.

Both parties agreed to officialize the contract before proceeding.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

They enjoy officializing new partnerships and collaborations.

Experts recommend officializing business transactions in writing.

She avoids officializing decisions without proper documentation.

We are considering officializing our team's structure for better organization.

Can you imagine the benefits of officializing your business operations?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

I would like to officialize our agreement with a formal ceremony. I would like officializing our agreement with a formal ceremony.

They started to officialize their relationship by exchanging vows. They started officializing their relationship by exchanging vows.

We began to officialize the process by gathering all the necessary documents. We began officializing the process by gathering all the necessary documents.

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