To Establish vs Establishing 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 establish (Infinitive)

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

Example

We plan to establish a new business in the city.

Establishing (Gerund)

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

Example

Establishing a good reputation takes time and effort.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To establish (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To establish a successful company requires careful planning.

  To establish a successful company requires careful planning.

  • "*To establish* a successful company" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful planning).
• 2. Object

  They want us to establish a partnership with their company.

  They want us to establish a partnership with their company.

  • "Us *to establish* a partnership with their company" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to establish* a partnership with their company).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  She needs an office space to establish her business.

  She needs an office space to establish her business.

  • "*To establish* her business" modifies the noun "office space."
  • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (an office space *to establish* her business).

Establishing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Establishing trust is essential in any relationship.

  Establishing trust is essential in any relationship.

  • "*Establishing* trust" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential in any relationship).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy establishing connections with new people.

  I enjoy establishing connections with new people.

  • "*Establishing* connections with new people" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*establishing* connections with new people).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for establishing successful businesses.

  He has a talent for establishing successful businesses.

  • "For *establishing* successful businesses" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *establishing* successful businesses).

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
• decide
• choose
• determine

Example

We plan to establish a strong online presence for our brand.

They hope to establish long-term relationships with their clients.

He decided to establish a foundation to support education.

She chose to establish her career in the fashion industry.

We determined to establish a fair and inclusive workplace culture.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

She enjoys establishing a rapport with her clients.

They recommend establishing clear communication channels.

He avoids establishing unrealistic expectations.

We are considering establishing a branch in another country.

Can you imagine yourself establishing your own business?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to establish new connections. I like establishing new connections.

They started to establish their own company. They started establishing their own company.

He began to establish a strong network. He began establishing a strong network.