To Prioritize vs Prioritizing 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 prioritize (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to prioritize my tasks for the day.

Prioritizing (Gerund)

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

Example

Prioritizing is crucial for productivity.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To prioritize (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To prioritize is essential for effective time management.

  To prioritize is essential for effective time management.

  • "*To prioritize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for effective time management).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to prioritize the important projects.

  She wants me to prioritize the important projects.

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

  We need a clear plan to prioritize our goals.

  We need a clear plan to prioritize our goals.

  • "*To prioritize* our goals" modifies the noun "plan."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a clear plan *to prioritize* our goals).

Prioritizing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Prioritizing helps in achieving goals efficiently.

  Prioritizing helps in achieving goals efficiently.

  • "*Prioritizing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (helps) + prepositional phrase (in achieving goals efficiently).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy prioritizing my to-do list every morning.

  I enjoy prioritizing my to-do list every morning.

  • "*Prioritizing* my to-do list every morning" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*prioritizing* my to-do list every morning).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for prioritizing tasks effectively.

  She has a talent for prioritizing tasks effectively.

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

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 prioritize his tasks for the week.

They hope to prioritize their time effectively.

She wants to prioritize her personal life over work.

We decided to prioritize the urgent tasks first.

They agreed to prioritize the customer's needs.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys prioritizing his workload for the day.

They recommend prioritizing important tasks first.

I dislike the idea of prioritizing work during weekends.

She avoids prioritizing tasks at the last minute.

Can you imagine yourself prioritizing multiple projects simultaneously?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to prioritize my responsibilities. I like prioritizing my responsibilities.

They started to prioritize their tasks early in the morning. They started prioritizing their tasks early in the morning.

She began to prioritize her health and well-being. She began prioritizing her health and well-being.