To Sync vs Syncing 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 sync (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to sync my devices to transfer the files.

Syncing (Gerund)

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

Example

Syncing your devices regularly ensures you always have the latest updates.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To sync (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To sync is essential for data backup and security.

  To sync is essential for data backup and security.

  • "*To sync*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for data backup and security).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to sync all the documents.

  She wants me to sync all the documents.

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

  I have a cable to sync the devices.

  I have a cable to sync the devices.

  • "*To sync* the devices" modifies the noun "cable."
  • Noun (I) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a cable *to sync* the devices).

Syncing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Syncing your devices is important for seamless data transfer.

  Syncing your devices is important for seamless data transfer.

  • "*Syncing* your devices" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for seamless data transfer).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy syncing my files across different platforms.

  I enjoy syncing my files across different platforms.

  • "*Syncing* my files across different platforms" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*syncing* my files across different platforms).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of syncing her devices every night.

  She has a habit of syncing her devices every night.

  • "Of *syncing* her devices every night" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *syncing* her devices every night).

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 sync their calendars for better organization.

I hope to sync my phone with my computer.

He wants to sync his music library with his friend's.

We decided to sync our data to the cloud.

They agreed to sync their files before the meeting.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• postpone
• imagine

Example

They recommend regularly syncing your devices for data security.

He avoids syncing his devices on public networks.

I am considering syncing my files to the cloud.

Let's not postpone syncing our data any longer.

Can you imagine syncing your devices effortlessly?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to sync her devices automatically. She likes syncing her devices automatically.

We started to sync our accounts for better synchronization. We started syncing our accounts for better synchronization.

He began to sync his files with the cloud storage. He began syncing his files with the cloud storage.