To Precede vs Preceding 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 precede (Infinitive)

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

Example

It is important to precede the meeting with an agenda.

Preceding (Gerund)

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

Example

Preceding the meeting, we had a brief discussion.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To precede (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To precede is a common practice in formal events.

  To precede is a common practice in formal events.

  • "*To precede*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice in formal events).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to precede her in the presentation.

  She wants me to precede her in the presentation.

  • "Me *to precede* her in the presentation" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to precede* her in the presentation).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a detailed plan to precede the project execution.

  I need a detailed plan to precede the project execution.

  • "*To precede* the project execution" modifies the noun "plan."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a detailed plan *to precede* the project execution).

Preceding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Preceding is a common practice in formal events.

  Preceding is a common practice in formal events.

  • "*Preceding*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice in formal events).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy preceding the presentation with an introduction.

  I enjoy preceding the presentation with an introduction.

  • "*Preceding* the presentation with an introduction" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*preceding* the presentation with an introduction).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for preceding events with a welcome speech.

  She has a passion for preceding events with a welcome speech.

  • "For *preceding* events with a welcome speech" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *preceding* events with a welcome speech).

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
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

She plans to precede the announcement with a press release.

They hope to precede the concert with a pre-show event.

He wants to precede the report with an executive summary.

We decided to precede the meeting with a team-building activity.

They agreed to precede the negotiation with a proposal.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider
• discuss

Example

They recommend preceding the meeting with an icebreaker activity.

He avoids preceding the performance with a long introduction.

Can you imagine preceding the ceremony with a dance performance?

She is considering preceding the event with a keynote speech.

We discussed preceding the workshop with a panel discussion.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to precede the lecture with a question-and-answer session. She likes preceding the lecture with a question-and-answer session.

We started to precede our meetings with a mindfulness exercise. We started preceding our meetings with a mindfulness exercise.

He began to precede his presentations with a brief overview. He began preceding his presentations with a brief overview.