To Prefill vs Prefilling 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 prefill (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to prefill the form with my information.

Prefilling (Gerund)

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

Example

Prefilling the form saves time and effort.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To prefill (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To prefill is a time-saving feature.

  To prefill is a time-saving feature.

  • "*To prefill*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a time-saving feature).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to prefill the document.

  She wants me to prefill the document.

  • "Me *to prefill* the document" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to prefill* the document).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a software to prefill forms automatically.

  I need a software to prefill forms automatically.

  • "*To prefill* forms automatically" modifies the noun "software."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a software *to prefill* forms automatically).

Prefilling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Prefilling is a useful feature in online forms.

  Prefilling is a useful feature in online forms.

  • "*Prefilling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a useful feature in online forms).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy prefilling the form with my details.

  I enjoy prefilling the form with my details.

  • "*Prefilling* the form with my details" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*prefilling* the form with my details).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a knack for prefilling forms.

  They have a knack for prefilling forms.

  • "For *prefilling* forms" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a knack for *prefilling* forms).

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 prefill the application in advance.

They hope to prefill the survey with accurate data.

We want to prefill the fields with default values.

She decided to prefill the template with relevant information.

They agreed to prefill the form together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys prefilling online forms for a smooth experience.

Experts recommend prefilling personal information in web forms.

I dislike the idea of prefilling the form with incorrect data.

He avoids prefilling forms with sensitive information.

Can you imagine prefilling the form with just one click?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to prefill the form with default settings. They like prefilling the form with default settings.

We started to prefill the form automatically. We started prefilling the form automatically.

He began to prefill the document before the meeting. He began prefilling the document before the meeting.