To Strategize vs Strategizing 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 strategize (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to strategize our next move in the game.

Strategizing (Gerund)

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

Example

Strategizing helps us achieve our goals effectively.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To strategize (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To strategize effectively requires careful planning.

  To strategize effectively requires careful planning.

  • "*To strategize* effectively" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful planning).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to strategize the marketing campaign.

  She wants me to strategize the marketing campaign.

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

  We need a clear objective to strategize effectively.

  We need a clear objective to strategize effectively.

  • "*To strategize* effectively" modifies the noun "objective."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a clear objective *to strategize* effectively).

Strategizing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Strategizing requires critical thinking and analysis.

  Strategizing requires critical thinking and analysis.

  • "*Strategizing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (critical thinking and analysis).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy strategizing new business ideas.

  I enjoy strategizing new business ideas.

  • "*Strategizing* new business ideas" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*strategizing* new business ideas).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for strategizing complex projects.

  She has a talent for strategizing complex projects.

  • "For *strategizing* complex projects" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *strategizing* complex projects).

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

They plan to strategize their business expansion.

He hopes to strategize a successful product launch.

We want to strategize our advertising campaign.

She decided to strategize her career path.

They agreed to strategize the project timeline.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy strategizing their personal finances.

Experts recommend regular strategizing for business success.

I dislike the idea of strategizing under pressure.

He avoids strategizing without proper information.

Can you imagine yourself strategizing in a high-stakes game?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to strategize before making decisions. She likes strategizing before making decisions.

We started to strategize our business plan. We started strategizing our business plan.

He began to strategize his career path. He began strategizing his career path.