To Verify vs Verifying 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 verify (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to verify the accuracy of the information before sharing it.

Verifying (Gerund)

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

Example

Verifying the facts is crucial in journalism.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To verify (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To verify is essential in conducting research.

  To verify is essential in conducting research.

  • "*To verify*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (essential).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to verify the details.

  She wants me to verify the details.

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

  I need a reliable source to verify the information.

  I need a reliable source to verify the information.

  • "*To verify* the information" modifies the noun "source."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reliable source *to verify* the information).

Verifying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Verifying the details takes time and effort.

  Verifying the details takes time and effort.

  • "*Verifying* the details" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (takes) + noun phrase (time and effort).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy verifying the accuracy of the data.

  I enjoy verifying the accuracy of the data.

  • "*Verifying* the accuracy of the data" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*verifying* the accuracy of the data).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for verifying information.

  He has a talent for verifying information.

  • "For *verifying* information" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *verifying* information).

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

• decide
• plan
• refuse
• attempt
• demand

Example

They decided to verify the authenticity of the document.

He plans to verify the data before submitting the report.

We refused to verify the transaction without proper documentation.

She attempted to verify the results of the experiment.

The client demanded to verify the contract terms before signing.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• practice

Example

She avoids verifying the sources without proper credentials.

They recommend regularly verifying the integrity of the data.

I am considering verifying the facts before making a decision.

Do you mind verifying the accuracy of the information?

He practices verifying the details to improve his skills.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to verify the information before sharing it. They like verifying the accuracy of the data.

She started to verify the documents for the audit. She started verifying the authenticity of the records.

We began to verify the results of the experiment. We began verifying the data for inconsistencies.