approach to

[Maybo]

When do we use gerund after "approach to"?

"In this paper 1, we present a new approach to construct multicast trees in MPLS networks."

"The Multitrait-Multimethod Matrix (hereafter labeled MTMM) is an approach to assessing the construct validity of a set of measures in a study."

[Matthew Wai]

Welcome to UsingEnglish.com, my fellow HongKonger!

The following is worth your reference.
https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/t...l=1#post354634

[Raymott]

I agree. The first sentence above isn't natural.

[Maybo]

To make a special strawberry cake, I use a new approach.
=
I use a new approach to making a special strawberry cake.

Are they same?

[GoesStation]

They mean the same thing. The second is simpler, more direct, and preferable in most circumstances.

[Maybo]

They mean the same thing. The second is simpler, more direct, and preferable in most circumstances.

Do I need to use Ving for sentence one? To making..... Because the second sentence is Ving.

[GoesStation]

Sentence 1 is correct as written.

[Matthew Wai]

I think 'to' means 'in order to' in sentence 1, so the infinitive is correct after it.

[jutfrank]

I think 'to' means 'in order to' in sentence 1, so the infinitive is correct after it.

If so, then yes, but it doesn't make sense when read like that, as identifying a purpose. That would be like saying that constructing multicast trees is the purpose of the presenting of the approach.

But the sentence is obviously referring to a new way of doing something, i.e, constructing multicast trees. There's no need, then, to use any language of purpose.