To Pertain vs Pertaining 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 pertain (Infinitive)

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

Example

It is important to pertain to the rules and regulations of the organization.

Pertaining (Gerund)

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

Example

Pertaining to the customer's needs should be our top priority.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To pertain (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To pertain to the guidelines is essential for success.

  To pertain to the guidelines is essential for success.

  • "*To pertain*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for success).
• 2. Object

  She expects me to pertain to the company policies.

  She expects me to pertain to the company policies.

  • "Me *to pertain* to the company policies" is the object of the verb "expects."
  • Noun (She) + verb (expects) + noun phrase (me *to pertain* to the company policies).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a book to pertain to his research topic.

  He needs a book to pertain to his research topic.

  • "*To pertain* to his research topic" modifies the noun "book."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a book *to pertain* to his research topic).

Pertaining (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Pertaining to the project requirements is crucial for its success.

  Pertaining to the project requirements is crucial for its success.

  • "*Pertaining*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (crucial for its success).
• 2. Object

  I appreciate your efforts pertaining to the client's feedback.

  I appreciate your efforts pertaining to the client's feedback.

  • "Your efforts *pertaining* to the client's feedback" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
  • Noun (I) + verb (appreciate) + gerund (your efforts *pertaining* to the client's feedback).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a question pertaining to the new policy.

  She has a question pertaining to the new policy.

  • "To the new policy" is the object of the preposition "pertaining."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a question *pertaining* to the new policy).

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
• want
• refuse
• attempt
• learn

Example

They plan to pertain to the new guidelines from next month.

She wants to pertain to the best practices in the industry.

He refused to pertain to the outdated policies.

We attempted to pertain to the quality standards set by the organization.

I learned to pertain to the safety protocols at work.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• recommend
• avoid
• understand
• discuss

Example

They are considering changes pertaining to the pricing structure.

Experts recommend solutions pertaining to the environmental issues.

It is important to avoid any misunderstandings pertaining to the project requirements.

Do you understand the regulations pertaining to data privacy?

Let's discuss matters pertaining to employee benefits in the meeting.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They would like to pertain to the new guidelines. They would like pertaining to the new guidelines.

We started to pertain to the company's policies. We started pertaining to the company's policies.

He began to pertain to the safety regulations. He began pertaining to the safety regulations.