To Adapt vs Adapting 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 adapt (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to adapt to the new environment quickly.

Adapting (Gerund)

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

Example

Adapting to new situations is a valuable skill.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To adapt (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To adapt is essential for survival in a changing world.

  To adapt is essential for survival in a changing world.

  • "*To adapt*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for survival in a changing world).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to adapt to the new job.

  She wants me to adapt to the new job.

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

  We need a flexible schedule to adapt to different time zones.

  We need a flexible schedule to adapt to different time zones.

  • "*To adapt* to different time zones" modifies the noun "schedule."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a flexible schedule *to adapt* to different time zones).

Adapting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Adapting requires flexibility and open-mindedness.

  Adapting requires flexibility and open-mindedness.

  • "*Adapting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (flexibility and open-mindedness).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy adapting to different cultures when I travel.

  I enjoy adapting to different cultures when I travel.

  • "*Adapting* to different cultures" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*adapting* to different cultures).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for adapting to new technologies.

  She has a talent for adapting to new technologies.

  • "For *adapting* to new technologies" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *adapting* to new technologies).

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

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

They plan to adapt their strategy based on market trends.

I hope to adapt to the new culture quickly.

He wants to adapt to the fast-paced work environment.

We decided to adapt our approach to the changing circumstances.

They agreed to adapt their product to customer feedback.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys adapting to different work environments.

They recommend regularly adapting to changes in the industry.

I dislike the idea of adapting to strict rules and regulations.

She avoids adapting to negative influences.

Can you imagine yourself adapting to a completely different lifestyle?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to adapt my routine to be more productive. I like adapting my routine to be more productive.

We started to adapt our business model to the digital age. We started adapting our business model to the digital age.

He began to adapt his teaching methods to accommodate different learning styles. He began adapting his teaching methods to accommodate different learning styles.