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 promise to recognize your efforts.

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 others is an important skill.

  To recognize others is an important skill.

  • "*To recognize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important skill).
• 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 employees.

  We need a system to recognize outstanding employees.

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

Recognizing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Recognizing his efforts, they promoted him to a higher position.

  Recognizing his efforts, they promoted him to a higher position.

  • "*Recognizing* his efforts" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (promoted) + noun phrase (him to a higher position).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy recognizing good work in my colleagues.

  I enjoy recognizing good work in my colleagues.

  • "*Recognizing* good work in my colleagues" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*recognizing* good work in my colleagues).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a knack for recognizing talent in others.

  She has a knack for recognizing talent in others.

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

Example

They agreed to recognize his contributions to the project.

We plan to recognize their achievements at the ceremony.

He wants to recognize their hard work and dedication.

She decided to recognize their talent and skills.

We hope to recognize the winners of the competition.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• postpone
• imagine

Example

They recommend recognizing individual contributions in team projects.

He avoids recognizing his own achievements in public.

We consider recognizing employee excellence a top priority.

She postponed recognizing the winners until next week.

Can you imagine recognizing your own strengths and weaknesses?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to recognize talent in others. I like recognizing talent in others.

We started to recognize their contributions. We started recognizing their contributions.

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