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To Pledge vs Pledging 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 pledge (Infinitive)

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

Example

I promise to pledge my loyalty to the team.

Pledging (Gerund)

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

Example

Pledging is a way to show your commitment.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To pledge (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To pledge is a common practice during political campaigns.

    To pledge is a common practice during political campaigns.

    • "*To pledge*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice during political campaigns).
  • 2Object

    They want us to pledge our support for the cause.

    They want us to pledge our support for the cause.

    • "Us *to pledge* our support for the cause" is the object of the verb "want."
    • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to pledge* our support for the cause).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    He needs a pen to pledge his commitment.

    He needs a pen to pledge his commitment.

    • "*To pledge* his commitment" modifies the noun "pen."
    • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a pen *to pledge* his commitment).

Pledging (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Pledging can be a meaningful act of solidarity.

    Pledging can be a meaningful act of solidarity.

    • "*Pledging*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (a meaningful act of solidarity).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy pledging my support to worthy causes.

    I enjoy pledging my support to worthy causes.

    • "*Pledging* my support to worthy causes" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*pledging* my support to worthy causes).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a passion for pledging her time to charity work.

    She has a passion for pledging her time to charity work.

    • "For *pledging* her time to charity work" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *pledging* her time to charity work).

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

She plans to pledge a large donation to the charity.

They hope to pledge their allegiance to the country.

He wants to pledge his support for the project.

We decided to pledge our time to volunteering.

They agreed to pledge their resources to the organization.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys pledging her resources to help others.

They recommend regular pledging for a stronger community.

I dislike the idea of pledging without understanding the cause.

He avoids pledging to organizations with questionable practices.

Can you imagine yourself pledging your support to a humanitarian cause?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to pledge her loyalty to the team. She likes pledging her loyalty to the team.

We started to pledge our commitment to sustainability. We started pledging our commitment to sustainability.

He began to pledge his time to volunteer work. He began pledging his time to volunteer work.

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