To Prove vs Proving 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 prove (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to prove my theory with concrete evidence.

Proving (Gerund)

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

Example

Proving your skills is essential in the job market.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To prove (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To prove his innocence is his top priority.

  To prove his innocence is his top priority.

  • "*To prove* his innocence" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his innocence).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to prove my point.

  She wants me to prove my point.

  • "Me *to prove* my point" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to prove* my point).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need solid evidence to prove our case.

  We need solid evidence to prove our case.

  • "*To prove* our case" modifies the noun "evidence."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (solid evidence *to prove* our case).

Proving (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Proving your point requires strong evidence.

  Proving your point requires strong evidence.

  • "*Proving* your point" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (strong evidence).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy proving others wrong.

  I enjoy proving others wrong.

  • "*Proving* others wrong" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*proving* others wrong).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a knack for proving her critics wrong.

  She has a knack for proving her critics wrong.

  • "For *proving* her critics wrong" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *proving* her critics wrong).

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

He plans to prove his theory through experiments.

They hope to prove their hypothesis correct.

She wants to prove her abilities to everyone.

We decided to prove our point during the debate.

They agreed to prove their innocence in court.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys proving his expertise in front of others.

They recommend proving your skills through practical experience.

I dislike the process of proving my worth to others.

She avoids proving herself in unnecessary situations.

Can you imagine proving your talent to the world?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to prove my abilities through hard work. I like proving myself through challenges.

He started to prove his point with compelling evidence. He started proving his point with compelling evidence.

She began to prove her innocence to the jury. She began proving her innocence to the jury.