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 new book to reach a wider audience.

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.

  To promote is an essential part of marketing.

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

  She wants me to promote her business.

  She wants me to promote her business.

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

  I need a strategy to promote my brand effectively.

  I need a strategy to promote my brand effectively.

  • "*To promote* my brand effectively" modifies the noun "strategy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to promote* my brand effectively).

Promoting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Promoting diversity in the workplace leads to better creativity.

  Promoting diversity in the workplace leads to better creativity.

  • "*Promoting* diversity in the workplace" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (leads to) + noun phrase (better creativity).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy promoting local businesses in my community.

  I enjoy promoting local businesses in my community.

  • "*Promoting* local businesses in my community" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*promoting* local businesses in my community).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for promoting environmental sustainability.

  She has a passion for promoting environmental sustainability.

  • "For *promoting* environmental sustainability" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *promoting* environmental sustainability).

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

She plans to promote her products online.

They hope to promote their services through social media.

He wants to promote his music on various platforms.

We decided to promote our event with flyers and posters.

They agreed to promote the new product together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys promoting charitable causes.

They recommend promoting teamwork in the workplace.

I dislike the idea of promoting harmful products.

He avoids promoting unethical practices.

Can you imagine yourself promoting a new product?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to promote her artwork online. She likes promoting her artwork online.

We started to promote our business through social media. We started promoting our business through social media.

He began to promote his blog to gain more readers. He began promoting his blog to gain more readers.