To Specialize vs Specializing 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 specialize (Infinitive)

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

Example

I plan to specialize in marketing.

Specializing (Gerund)

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

Example

Specializing in a specific field can lead to better job prospects.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To specialize (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To specialize is a great way to stand out in the job market.

  To specialize is a great way to stand out in the job market.

  • "*To specialize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to stand out in the job market).
• 2. Object

  They want me to specialize in finance.

  They want me to specialize in finance.

  • "Me *to specialize* in finance" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (me *to specialize* in finance).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a team to specialize in digital marketing.

  We need a team to specialize in digital marketing.

  • "*To specialize* in digital marketing" modifies the noun "team."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a team *to specialize* in digital marketing).

Specializing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Specializing in finance requires strong analytical skills.

  Specializing in finance requires strong analytical skills.

  • "*Specializing* in finance" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (strong analytical skills).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy specializing in web development.

  I enjoy specializing in web development.

  • "*Specializing* in web development" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*specializing* in web development).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for specializing in marketing.

  She has a passion for specializing in marketing.

  • "For *specializing* in marketing" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *specializing* in marketing).

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

• hope
• want
• decide
• determine
• choose

Example

I hope to specialize in graphic design.

She wants to specialize in human resources.

He decided to specialize in international business.

We determined to specialize in healthcare management.

They choose to specialize in environmental science.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy specializing in data analysis.

I recommend specializing in project management.

We are considering specializing in environmental law.

He avoids specializing in sales.

Can you imagine yourself specializing in artificial intelligence?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to specialize in computer science. She likes specializing in computer science.

We started to specialize in marketing research. We started specializing in marketing research.

He began to specialize in graphic design. He began specializing in graphic design.