To Raise vs Raising 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 raise (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to raise money for charity.

Raising (Gerund)

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

Example

Raising awareness is crucial in addressing social issues.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To raise (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To raise funds is our main goal.

  To raise funds is our main goal.

  • "*To raise* funds" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (our main goal).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to raise awareness about the issue.

  She wants me to raise awareness about the issue.

  • "Me *to raise* awareness about the issue" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to raise* awareness about the issue).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a platform to raise our voices.

  We need a platform to raise our voices.

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

Raising (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Raising children can be challenging.

  Raising children can be challenging.

  • "*Raising* children" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (challenging).
• 2. Object

  We enjoy raising funds for charitable causes.

  We enjoy raising funds for charitable causes.

  • "*Raising* funds for charitable causes" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (We) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*raising* funds for charitable causes).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for raising awareness about important issues.

  He has a talent for raising awareness about important issues.

  • "For *raising* awareness about important issues" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *raising* awareness about important issues).

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 raise $10,000 for the project.

He hopes to raise awareness about climate change.

We want to raise enough money for the new building.

She decided to raise her hand and ask a question.

They agreed to raise their concerns at the meeting.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys raising awareness about environmental conservation.

Experts recommend raising children with love and patience.

I dislike the idea of raising taxes on low-income families.

They avoid raising sensitive topics during family gatherings.

Can you imagine yourself raising a puppy?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to raise their voices for equality. They like raising awareness for equality.

We started to raise funds for the organization. We started raising funds for the organization.

He began to raise awareness about mental health. He began raising awareness about mental health.