To Preclude vs Precluding 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 preclude (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to preclude any misunderstandings by providing clear instructions.

Precluding (Gerund)

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

Example

Precluding potential risks is crucial in this industry.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To preclude (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To preclude is essential for a successful outcome.

  To preclude is essential for a successful outcome.

  • "*To preclude*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for a successful outcome).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to preclude any errors in the report.

  She wants me to preclude any errors in the report.

  • "Me *to preclude* any errors in the report" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to preclude* any errors in the report).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a checklist to preclude mistakes.

  I need a checklist to preclude mistakes.

  • "*To preclude* mistakes" modifies the noun "checklist."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a checklist *to preclude* mistakes).

Precluding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Precluding risks requires careful planning.

  Precluding risks requires careful planning.

  • "*Precluding* risks" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful planning).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy precluding errors in my work.

  I enjoy precluding errors in my work.

  • "*Precluding* errors in my work" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*precluding* errors in my work).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for precluding problems.

  She has a talent for precluding problems.

  • "For *precluding* problems" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *precluding* problems).

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

He plans to preclude any delays in the project.

They hope to preclude any accidents during the event.

She wants to preclude any conflicts in the team.

We decided to preclude any disruptions in the schedule.

They agreed to preclude any misunderstandings in the agreement.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• imagine
• resist
• understand

Example

He avoids precluding any opportunities for growth.

They recommend precluding unnecessary expenses.

Can you imagine precluding potential dangers?

I resist precluding alternative solutions.

We understand the importance of precluding legal issues.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to preclude misunderstandings in her communication. She likes precluding misunderstandings in her communication.

We started to preclude any mistakes from the beginning. We started precluding any mistakes from the beginning.

He began to preclude conflicts in the team. He began precluding conflicts in the team.