To Unify vs Unifying 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 unify (Infinitive)

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

Example

The leader wants to unify the divided nation.

Unifying (Gerund)

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

Example

Unifying different cultures can lead to greater understanding.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To unify (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To unify is his main goal.

  To unify is his main goal.

  • "*To unify*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his main goal).
• 2. Object

  She expects him to unify the team.

  She expects him to unify the team.

  • "Him *to unify* the team" is the object of the verb "expects."
  • Noun (She) + verb (expects) + noun phrase (him *to unify* the team).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  They need a strong leader to unify the country.

  They need a strong leader to unify the country.

  • "*To unify* the country" modifies the noun "leader."
  • Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong leader *to unify* the country).

Unifying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Unifying the team was a challenging task.

  Unifying the team was a challenging task.

  • "*Unifying* the team" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (a challenging task).
• 2. Object

  He enjoys unifying people from different backgrounds.

  He enjoys unifying people from different backgrounds.

  • "*Unifying* people from different backgrounds" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*unifying* people from different backgrounds).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for unifying communities.

  She has a passion for unifying communities.

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

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

He plans to unify the different departments in the company.

We hope to unify the conflicting opinions during the meeting.

She wants to unify the diverse communities in the city.

They decided to unify their efforts for a common cause.

The two parties agreed to unify their strategies for the upcoming elections.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

They enjoy unifying teams for collaborative projects.

Experts recommend unifying diverse voices for inclusive decision-making.

He avoids unifying conflicting ideologies.

Can you imagine the impact of unifying different cultures?

She considers unifying the two companies for increased market share.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to unify people with shared goals. I like unifying people with shared goals.

We started to unify the various departments. We started unifying the various departments.

He began to unify the divided community. He began unifying the divided community.