To Second vs Seconding 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 second (Infinitive)

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

Example

I agree to second your proposal in the meeting.

Seconding (Gerund)

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

Example

Seconding your viewpoint is essential for consensus.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To second (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To second the motion is a crucial step in the decision-making process.

  To second the motion is a crucial step in the decision-making process.

  • "*To second* the motion" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a crucial step in the decision-making process).
• 2. Object

  They asked me to second their idea during the presentation.

  They asked me to second their idea during the presentation.

  • "Me *to second* their idea during the presentation" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (They) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to second* their idea during the presentation).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a valid reason to second the recommendation.

  He needs a valid reason to second the recommendation.

  • "*To second* the recommendation" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a valid reason *to second* the recommendation).

Seconding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Seconding his argument was the highlight of the debate.

  Seconding his argument was the highlight of the debate.

  • "*Seconding* his argument" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (the highlight of the debate).
• 2. Object

  I appreciate seconding my proposal during the meeting.

  I appreciate seconding my proposal during the meeting.

  • "*Seconding* my proposal during the meeting" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
  • Noun (I) + verb (appreciate) + gerund (*seconding* my proposal during the meeting).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has experience in seconding various motions.

  She has experience in seconding various motions.

  • "In *seconding* various motions" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience in *seconding* various motions).

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

She plans to second your motion in the next meeting.

They hope to second your proposal for the project.

He wants to second the resolution at the conference.

We decided to second your suggestion during the discussion.

They agreed to second your idea in the board meeting.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys seconding different viewpoints during debates.

They recommend seconding the proposal for better outcomes.

I dislike the act of seconding arguments without proper analysis.

He avoids seconding controversial statements.

Can you imagine yourself seconding opposing views?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to second innovative ideas. She likes seconding innovative ideas.

We started to second the speaker's opinion. We started seconding the speaker's opinion.

He began to second motions during meetings. He began seconding motions during meetings.