To Unleash vs Unleashing 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 unleash (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to unleash my creativity through art.

Unleashing (Gerund)

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

Example

Unleashing your potential can lead to great success.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To unleash (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To unleash your potential is empowering.

  To unleash your potential is empowering.

  • "*To unleash* your potential" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (empowering).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to unleash my ideas in the project.

  She wants me to unleash my ideas in the project.

  • "Me *to unleash* my ideas in the project" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to unleash* my ideas in the project).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a platform to unleash his creativity.

  He needs a platform to unleash his creativity.

  • "*To unleash* his creativity" modifies the noun "platform."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a platform *to unleash* his creativity).

Unleashing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Unleashing your creativity is important for personal growth.

  Unleashing your creativity is important for personal growth.

  • "*Unleashing* your creativity" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for personal growth).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy unleashing my energy on the dance floor.

  I enjoy unleashing my energy on the dance floor.

  • "*Unleashing* my energy on the dance floor" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*unleashing* my energy on the dance floor).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for unleashing her potential.

  She has a passion for unleashing her potential.

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

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

• hope
• decide
• plan
• choose
• attempt

Example

They hope to unleash their potential in the competition.

We decided to unleash our innovative ideas in the presentation.

She plans to unleash her talent in the upcoming performance.

He chose to unleash his artistic skills in the painting.

They attempted to unleash their imagination in the writing process.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys unleashing her creativity through writing.

They recommend unleashing your potential through continuous learning.

I am considering unleashing my ideas in the meeting.

He avoids unleashing his anger in stressful situations.

Can you imagine unleashing your full potential in your career?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I like to unleash my inner artist through painting. I like unleashing my creativity through painting.

She began to unleash her potential in the new job. She began unleashing her potential in the new job.

They continue to unleash their talent in every performance. They continue unleashing their talent in every performance.