To Persuade vs Persuading 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 persuade (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to persuade my parents to let me go on the trip.

Persuading (Gerund)

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

Example

Persuading others can be challenging, but also rewarding.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To persuade (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To persuade is a skill that can be learned.

  To persuade is a skill that can be learned.

  • "*To persuade*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a skill that can be learned).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to persuade her boss to give her a raise.

  She wants me to persuade her boss to give her a raise.

  • "Me *to persuade* her boss to give her a raise" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to persuade* her boss to give her a raise).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a convincing argument to persuade them.

  I need a convincing argument to persuade them.

  • "*To persuade* them" modifies the noun "argument."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a convincing argument *to persuade* them).

Persuading (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Persuading people requires effective communication skills.

  Persuading people requires effective communication skills.

  • "*Persuading* people" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (effective communication skills).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy persuading others to try new experiences.

  I enjoy persuading others to try new experiences.

  • "*Persuading* others to try new experiences" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*persuading* others to try new experiences).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for persuading people to see things from her perspective.

  She has a talent for persuading people to see things from her perspective.

  • "For *persuading* people to see things from her perspective" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *persuading* people to see things from her perspective).

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

• decide
• hope
• want
• attempt
• choose

Example

We decided to persuade the committee to fund our project.

They hope to persuade their neighbors to join the community clean-up.

He wants to persuade his colleagues to support his proposal.

She attempted to persuade the jury to change their decision.

They chose to persuade the audience with emotional appeals.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• resist
• understand

Example

They recommend persuading customers through personalized marketing.

I am considering persuading my friends to go on a road trip.

He avoids persuading others through manipulation or deception.

She resists persuading her children to eat unhealthy foods.

Can you understand the importance of persuading people to take action?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to persuade others to make positive changes. She likes persuading others to make positive changes.

We began to persuade the team to adopt a new strategy. We began persuading the team to adopt a new strategy.

He continues to persuade his clients to invest in sustainable businesses. He continues persuading his clients to invest in sustainable businesses.