To Recognize vs Recognizing 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 recognize (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to recognize all the hard work you've put in.

Recognizing (Gerund)

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

Example

Recognizing talent is essential for building a successful team.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To recognize (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To recognize is important in building a positive work environment.

  To recognize is important in building a positive work environment.

  • "*To recognize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important in building a positive work environment).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to recognize her achievements.

  She wants me to recognize her achievements.

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

  We need a system to recognize outstanding performance.

  We need a system to recognize outstanding performance.

  • "*To recognize* outstanding performance" modifies the noun "system."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a system *to recognize* outstanding performance).

Recognizing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Recognizing others' efforts can boost morale.

  Recognizing others' efforts can boost morale.

  • "*Recognizing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can boost) + noun phrase (morale).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy recognizing employees for their hard work.

  I enjoy recognizing employees for their hard work.

  • "*Recognizing* employees for their hard work" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*recognizing* employees for their hard work).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for recognizing potential in others.

  She has a talent for recognizing potential in others.

  • "For *recognizing* potential in others" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *recognizing* potential in others).

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

• agree
• hope
• want
• decide
• plan

Example

They agreed to recognize your efforts with an award.

I hope to recognize my team's accomplishments at the meeting.

He wants to recognize their contributions to the project.

We decided to recognize their achievements publicly.

She plans to recognize the top performers at the ceremony.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

He enjoys recognizing creativity in his team members.

I recommend recognizing individual achievements regularly.

They avoid recognizing mistakes in public.

We consider recognizing long-term commitment as important.

Can you imagine recognizing your own strengths and weaknesses?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to recognize hardworking individuals. She likes recognizing hardworking individuals.

We started to recognize employee contributions. We started recognizing employee contributions.

He began to recognize the importance of teamwork. He began recognizing the importance of teamwork.