To Rely vs Relying 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 rely (Infinitive)

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

Example

I promise to rely on you for support.

Relying (Gerund)

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

Example

Relying on others can be challenging.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To rely (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To rely on others can be difficult for some people.

  To rely on others can be difficult for some people.

  • "*To rely* on others" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective phrase (difficult for some people).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to rely on her advice.

  She wants me to rely on her advice.

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

  We need a dependable source to rely on.

  We need a dependable source to rely on.

  • "*To rely* on" modifies the noun "source."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a dependable source *to rely* on).

Relying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Relying on someone else's opinion is not always the best choice.

  Relying on someone else's opinion is not always the best choice.

  • "*Relying* on someone else's opinion" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adverb phrase (not always the best choice).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy relying on my friends for emotional support.

  I enjoy relying on my friends for emotional support.

  • "*Relying* on my friends for emotional support" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*relying* on my friends for emotional support).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of relying on others.

  She has a fear of relying on others.

  • "Of *relying* on others" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *relying* on 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

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

They plan to rely on their savings for retirement.

I hope to rely on your expertise for this project.

He wants to rely on his own skills to succeed.

She decided to rely on her intuition to make the right choice.

We agreed to rely on each other for support.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

He enjoys relying on his instincts to make decisions.

They recommend relying on reliable sources for accurate information.

I avoid relying on public transportation during rush hour.

Can you imagine yourself relying on others for everything?

She is considering relying on a personal trainer to reach her fitness goals.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to rely on myself for solutions. I like relying on myself for solutions.

They started to rely on technology for communication. They started relying on technology for communication.

He began to rely on meditation for stress relief. He began relying on meditation for stress relief.