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To Urge vs Urging Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To urge (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to urge everyone to donate to the charity.

Urging (Gerund)

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

Example

Urging people to recycle can help protect the environment.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To urge (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To urge is an important responsibility of a leader.

    To urge is an important responsibility of a leader.

    • "*To urge*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important responsibility of a leader).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to urge others to take action.

    She wants me to urge others to take action.

    • "Me *to urge* others to take action" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to urge* others to take action).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a platform to urge change.

    I need a platform to urge change.

    • "*To urge* change" modifies the noun "platform."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to urge* change).

Urging (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Urging others to take action is a powerful tool.

    Urging others to take action is a powerful tool.

    • "*Urging*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a powerful tool).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy urging my friends to try new experiences.

    I enjoy urging my friends to try new experiences.

    • "*Urging* my friends to try new experiences" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*urging* my friends to try new experiences).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a passion for urging others to pursue their dreams.

    She has a passion for urging others to pursue their dreams.

    • "For *urging* others to pursue their dreams" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *urging* others to pursue their dreams).

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

Example

She plans to urge her colleagues to support the new project.

They hope to urge the government to take action on climate change.

He wants to urge his followers to vote in the upcoming election.

We decided to urge our community to recycle more.

They agreed to urge their employees to attend the training session.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys urging people to be kind to one another.

They recommend urging companies to prioritize sustainability.

I dislike the idea of urging others to conform to societal norms.

He avoids urging his team members to work overtime.

Can you imagine yourself urging others to embrace diversity?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to urge her students to think critically. She likes urging her students to think critically.

We started to urge our community to recycle. We started urging our community to recycle.

He began to urge his colleagues to adopt sustainable practices. He began urging his colleagues to adopt sustainable practices.

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