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 new situations 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 change is a necessary skill in today's world.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To adapt (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To adapt is essential for survival in a changing environment.

  To adapt is essential for survival in a changing environment.

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

  She wants me to adapt to the new team dynamics.

  She wants me to adapt to the new team dynamics.

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

  I need a flexible mindset to adapt to different cultures.

  I need a flexible mindset to adapt to different cultures.

  • "*To adapt* to different cultures" modifies the noun "mindset."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a flexible mindset *to adapt* to different cultures).

Adapting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Adapting to new technologies is crucial for staying competitive.

  Adapting to new technologies is crucial for staying competitive.

  • "*Adapting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (crucial for staying competitive).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy adapting my teaching methods to meet student needs.

  I enjoy adapting my teaching methods to meet student needs.

  • "*Adapting* my teaching methods to meet student needs" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*adapting* my teaching methods to meet student needs).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for adapting to different environments.

  She has a talent for adapting to different environments.

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

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

She plans to adapt her strategy for the upcoming project.

They hope to adapt to the new work schedule quickly.

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

We decided to adapt our marketing campaign for the target audience.

They agreed to adapt their approach based on customer feedback.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys adapting recipes to accommodate dietary restrictions.

They recommend regularly adapting their business strategies to market trends.

I dislike the process of constantly adapting to new software updates.

He avoids adapting to change by sticking to familiar routines.

Can you imagine yourself adapting to a completely different culture?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to adapt her communication style to different audiences. She likes adapting her communication style to different audiences.

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 to the new management strategies. He began adapting to the new management strategies.