To Solidify vs Solidifying 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 solidify (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to solidify my knowledge by practicing regularly.

Solidifying (Gerund)

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

Example

Solidifying your understanding takes time and effort.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To solidify (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To solidify your skills, you need to practice consistently.

  To solidify your skills, you need to practice consistently.

  • "*To solidify* your skills" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (need) + noun phrase (to solidify your skills).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to solidify the agreement.

  She wants me to solidify the agreement.

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

  I need a clear plan to solidify my goals.

  I need a clear plan to solidify my goals.

  • "*To solidify* my goals" modifies the noun "plan."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a clear plan *to solidify* my goals).

Solidifying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Solidifying your knowledge is essential for success.

  Solidifying your knowledge is essential for success.

  • "*Solidifying* your knowledge" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for success).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy solidifying my skills through practice.

  I enjoy solidifying my skills through practice.

  • "*Solidifying* my skills through practice" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*solidifying* my skills through practice).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for solidifying her expertise.

  She has a passion for solidifying her expertise.

  • "For *solidifying* her expertise" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *solidifying* her expertise).

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 solidify her position in the company.

They hope to solidify their relationship through marriage.

He wants to solidify his reputation in the industry.

We decided to solidify our partnership with a formal agreement.

They agreed to solidify their friendship by going on a trip together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys solidifying her knowledge by reading books.

They recommend regular solidifying of concepts for better understanding.

I dislike the process of solidifying information in my mind.

He avoids solidifying his mistakes by seeking feedback.

Can you imagine yourself solidifying your skills through practice?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to solidify her position in the team. She likes solidifying her knowledge through hands-on experience.

We started to solidify our friendship by spending more time together. We started solidifying our bond through shared experiences.

He began to solidify his reputation in the industry. He began solidifying his expertise by attending workshops.