When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To pioneer (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to pioneer" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
They want to pioneer new technology in the industry.
Pioneering (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "pioneering" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Pioneering new ideas is crucial for progress.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To pioneer (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To pioneer is a challenging task.
To pioneer is a challenging task.
- "*To pioneer*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (a challenging task).
- 2Object
She encourages us to pioneer innovative ideas.
She encourages us to pioneer innovative ideas.
- "Us *to pioneer* innovative ideas" is the object of the verb "encourages."
- Noun (She) + verb (encourages) + noun phrase (us *to pioneer* innovative ideas).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a team to pioneer this project.
We need a team to pioneer this project.
- "*To pioneer* this project" modifies the noun "team."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a team *to pioneer* this project).
Pioneering (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Pioneering requires creativity and perseverance.
Pioneering requires creativity and perseverance.
- "*Pioneering*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (creativity and perseverance).
- 2Object
I enjoy pioneering innovative solutions.
I enjoy pioneering innovative solutions.
- "*Pioneering* innovative solutions" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*pioneering* innovative solutions).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for pioneering new technologies.
She has a passion for pioneering new technologies.
- "For *pioneering* new technologies" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *pioneering* new technologies).
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 pioneer a new market strategy.
I hope to pioneer a breakthrough in medical research.
He wants to pioneer a sustainable energy solution.
We decided to pioneer a new approach to education.
They agreed to pioneer a new product line.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys pioneering new business ventures.
Experts recommend pioneering sustainable practices.
She dislikes the idea of pioneering untested methods.
They avoid pioneering in uncharted territories.
Can you imagine yourself pioneering space exploration?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
They like to pioneer innovative solutions. They like pioneering innovative solutions.
We started to pioneer new technologies. We started pioneering new technologies.
He began to pioneer groundbreaking research. He began pioneering groundbreaking research.
