To Preopen vs Preopening 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 preopen (Infinitive)

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

Example

They plan to preopen the store before the official opening day.

Preopening (Gerund)

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

Example

Preopening is crucial for ensuring a successful launch of a new business.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To preopen (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To preopen is a common practice in the retail industry.

  To preopen is a common practice in the retail industry.

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

  We want them to preopen the store for us.

  We want them to preopen the store for us.

  • "Them *to preopen* the store for us" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (We) + verb (want) + noun phrase (them *to preopen* the store for us).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a key to preopen the doors.

  He needs a key to preopen the doors.

  • "*To preopen* the doors" modifies the noun "key."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a key *to preopen* the doors).

Preopening (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Preopening requires careful planning and preparation.

  Preopening requires careful planning and preparation.

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

  They enjoy the process of preopening a new store.

  They enjoy the process of preopening a new store.

  • "The process of *preopening* a new store" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (They) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (the process of *preopening* a new store).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has experience in preopening multiple restaurants.

  She has experience in preopening multiple restaurants.

  • "In *preopening* multiple restaurants" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience in *preopening* multiple restaurants).

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
• decide
• hope
• agree
• choose

Example

They plan to preopen the store early next week.

We decided to preopen the new branch on Saturday.

She hopes to preopen the restaurant by the end of the month.

The team agreed to preopen the exhibition for VIP guests.

He chose to preopen the online store for pre-order sales.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• imagine
• mind

Example

Experts recommend thorough preopening procedures for a successful launch.

They are considering preopening the new hotel for special guests.

He wants to avoid any delays in preopening the business.

Can you imagine the excitement of preopening a brand new store?

I wouldn't mind preopening the shop a day earlier.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She would like to preopen the store before the grand opening. She would like preopening the store before the grand opening.

They started to preopen the venue for the event preparations. They started preopening the venue for the event preparations.

He began to preopen the store to set up the displays. He began preopening the store to set up the displays.