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I wrote:

Image processing techniques have been widely used for detecting defects in industrial equipment.

Maybe I could write it as:

Image processing techniques have been widely used for the detection of defects in industrial equipment.

In many case, I have seen a gerund is used after "for". I would like to know is it a rule or a noun form of a verb like "detection" is also can be used? is there any difference?

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    Same meaning in both, but don't call "detecting" a gerund; it is a verb with its own direct object. So the question really is "subordinate clause or noun phrase as complement of "for"?
    – BillJ
    Aug 30, 2016 at 18:58
  • @BillJ I thought "detecting defects" is a gerund phrase.
    – Cardinal
    Aug 30, 2016 at 19:37
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    @Cardinal In trad grammar, yes, but in modern grammar we'd call "detecting defects in industrial equipment" a non-finite subordinate clause, or more specifically a 'gerund-participial clause'.
    – BillJ
    Aug 30, 2016 at 19:48
  • @BillJ I'm really impressed by the modern grammar. I should start learning modern grammar sooner or later. Thanks.
    – Cardinal
    Aug 30, 2016 at 19:55
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    In answer to your question, @Ahmad - there is no rule governing this usage. It's up to you to decide which one sounds better. Remember: language is originally a spoken medium, not a written one! Rhythm and musicality are as important in English as they are in any language.
    – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica
    Aug 31, 2016 at 6:19

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