To Request vs Requesting 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 request (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to request a meeting with my manager.

Requesting (Gerund)

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

Example

Requesting a favor can be difficult sometimes.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To request (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To request is a common business practice.

  To request is a common business practice.

  • "*To request*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common business practice).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to request additional resources for the project.

  She wants me to request additional resources for the project.

  • "Me *to request* additional resources for the project" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to request* additional resources for the project).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a form to request a refund.

  I need a form to request a refund.

  • "*To request* a refund" modifies the noun "form."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a form *to request* a refund).

Requesting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Requesting help is not a sign of weakness.

  Requesting help is not a sign of weakness.

  • "*Requesting* help" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a sign of weakness).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy requesting feedback on my work.

  I enjoy requesting feedback on my work.

  • "*Requesting* feedback on my work" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*requesting* feedback on my work).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for requesting information effectively.

  She has a talent for requesting information effectively.

  • "For *requesting* information effectively" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *requesting* information effectively).

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
• hope
• want
• decide

Example

They agreed to request a change in the schedule.

He plans to request a raise at the meeting.

We hope to request an extension for the deadline.

She wants to request more information about the project.

I decided to request a transfer to another department.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• imagine
• mind

Example

They recommend requesting a written agreement for legal protection.

I am considering requesting a refund for the faulty product.

He avoids requesting special treatment from his colleagues.

Can you imagine yourself requesting a promotion confidently?

Do you mind requesting a meeting with the client on my behalf?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to request assistance when needed. She likes requesting assistance when needed.

We started to request feedback from customers. We started requesting feedback from customers.

He began to request more information about the job. He began requesting more information about the job.