To Prove vs Proving 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 prove (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to prove that I can succeed.

Proving (Gerund)

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

Example

Proving your worth takes time and effort.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To prove (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To prove is a challenging task.

  To prove is a challenging task.

  • "*To prove*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a challenging task).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to prove my innocence.

  She wants me to prove my innocence.

  • "Me *to prove* my innocence" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to prove* my innocence).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need evidence to prove my point.

  I need evidence to prove my point.

  • "Evidence *to prove* my point" modifies the noun "need."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (evidence *to prove* my point).

Proving (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Proving yourself is essential in this industry.

  Proving yourself is essential in this industry.

  • "*Proving* yourself" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential in this industry).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy proving others wrong.

  I enjoy proving others wrong.

  • "*Proving* others wrong" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*proving* others wrong).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for proving her point.

  She has a talent for proving her point.

  • "For *proving* her point" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *proving* her point).

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 prove his theory with experiments.

We hope to prove our hypothesis through research.

They want to prove their innocence in court.

She decided to prove her skills in the competition.

They agreed to prove their commitment to the project.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys proving his skills in front of an audience.

They recommend proving your abilities through practical experience.

I dislike the process of proving myself to others.

She avoids proving her worth through empty promises.

Can you imagine yourself proving your critics wrong?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to prove my point with solid evidence. I like proving my point with solid evidence.

They started to prove their concept to potential investors. They started proving their concept to potential investors.

He began to prove his worth through hard work. He began proving his worth through hard work.