To Promote vs Promoting 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 promote (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to promote my business to increase sales.

Promoting (Gerund)

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

Example

Promoting a healthy lifestyle is important for overall well-being.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To promote (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To promote is an essential part of marketing strategy.

  To promote is an essential part of marketing strategy.

  • "*To promote*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential part of marketing strategy).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to promote her new product.

  She wants me to promote her new product.

  • "Me *to promote* her new product" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to promote* her new product).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a platform to promote our services.

  We need a platform to promote our services.

  • "*To promote* our services" modifies the noun "platform."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to promote* our services).

Promoting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Promoting diversity and inclusion is crucial in today's society.

  Promoting diversity and inclusion is crucial in today's society.

  • "*Promoting* diversity and inclusion" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (crucial in today's society).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy promoting sustainable living practices.

  I enjoy promoting sustainable living practices.

  • "*Promoting* sustainable living practices" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*promoting* sustainable living practices).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a passion for promoting environmental conservation.

  They have a passion for promoting environmental conservation.

  • "For *promoting* environmental conservation" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a passion for *promoting* environmental conservation).

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
• want
• hope
• attempt

Example

They plan to promote their event on social media.

He decided to promote his brand through television advertisements.

She wants to promote her artwork in a gallery.

We hope to promote our cause through fundraising events.

They attempted to promote their music by performing at local venues.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• resist

Example

She enjoys promoting local businesses in her community.

Experts recommend promoting mental health awareness.

He avoids promoting harmful products or practices.

We are considering promoting our brand through influencer collaborations.

They resist promoting unethical business practices.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to promote positive change in society. I like promoting positive change in society.

They started to promote their new product line. They started promoting their new product line.

He began to promote his book through online marketing. He began promoting his book through online marketing.