To Procure vs Procuring 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 procure (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to procure a new laptop for my work.

Procuring (Gerund)

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

Example

Procuring the necessary resources can be challenging.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To procure (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To procure a visa is a lengthy process.

  To procure a visa is a lengthy process.

  • "*To procure* a visa" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a lengthy process).
• 2. Object

  She asked him to procure the necessary documents.

  She asked him to procure the necessary documents.

  • "Him *to procure* the necessary documents" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to procure* the necessary documents).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a reliable supplier to procure raw materials.

  He needs a reliable supplier to procure raw materials.

  • "*To procure* raw materials" modifies the noun "supplier."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a reliable supplier *to procure* raw materials).

Procuring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Procuring funding is essential for the success of the project.

  Procuring funding is essential for the success of the project.

  • "*Procuring* funding" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for the success of the project).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy procuring unique items for my collection.

  I enjoy procuring unique items for my collection.

  • "*Procuring* unique items for my collection" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*procuring* unique items for my collection).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for procuring hard-to-find items.

  She has a talent for procuring hard-to-find items.

  • "For *procuring* hard-to-find items" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *procuring* hard-to-find items).

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

They plan to procure new equipment for the project.

We hope to procure funding for our research.

She wants to procure a rare book for her collection.

He decided to procure a professional photographer for the event.

They agreed to procure the necessary permits for the construction.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

He enjoys procuring antique furniture for his clients.

They recommend procuring the necessary permits in advance.

I avoid procuring items from unreliable sources.

Can you imagine yourself procuring rare artifacts for a museum?

She is considering procuring a new car for her commute.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to procure a ticket for the concert. I would like procuring a ticket for the concert.

He started to procure supplies for the project. He started procuring supplies for the project.

We began to procure materials for the construction. We began procuring materials for the construction.