To Transfer vs Transferring 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 transfer (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to transfer my money to a different bank account.

Transferring (Gerund)

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

Example

Transferring money between accounts can be done online.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To transfer (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To transfer is a common banking transaction.

  To transfer is a common banking transaction.

  • "*To transfer*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (a common banking transaction).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to transfer the funds today.

  She wants me to transfer the funds today.

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

  I have a form to transfer the ownership.

  I have a form to transfer the ownership.

  • "*To transfer* the ownership" modifies the noun "form."
  • Noun (I) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a form *to transfer* the ownership).

Transferring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Transferring funds is a necessary process.

  Transferring funds is a necessary process.

  • "*Transferring* funds" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (a necessary process).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy transferring money electronically.

  I enjoy transferring money electronically.

  • "*Transferring* money electronically" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*transferring* money electronically).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has experience in transferring assets.

  She has experience in transferring assets.

  • "In *transferring* assets" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience in *transferring* assets).

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
• want
• hope
• decide
• agree

Example

He plans to transfer his assets to a new account.

They want to transfer their funds to a secure account.

We hope to transfer the money successfully.

I decided to transfer my savings to a different bank.

She agreed to transfer the funds immediately.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• postpone

Example

They avoid transferring large sums of money at once.

I recommend transferring funds before the deadline.

We are considering transferring our investments to a different firm.

Do you mind transferring the funds for me?

He postponed transferring the ownership until next month.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I would like to transfer the funds as soon as possible. I would like transferring the funds as soon as possible.

She began to transfer her money to a new account. She began transferring her money to a new account.

We will continue to transfer funds regularly. We will continue transferring funds regularly.