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To Beat vs Beating Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To beat (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to beat my personal record in the race.

Beating (Gerund)

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

Example

Beating the odds is a great achievement.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To beat (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To beat is his ultimate goal.

    To beat is his ultimate goal.

    • "*To beat*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his ultimate goal).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to beat her in the competition.

    She wants me to beat her in the competition.

    • "Me *to beat* her in the competition" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to beat* her in the competition).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    He needs a faster car to beat his rivals.

    He needs a faster car to beat his rivals.

    • "*To beat* his rivals" modifies the noun "car."
    • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a faster car *to beat* his rivals).

Beating (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Beating your opponent requires skill and determination.

    Beating your opponent requires skill and determination.

    • "*Beating* your opponent" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (skill and determination).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy beating my friends at board games.

    I enjoy beating my friends at board games.

    • "*Beating* my friends at board games" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*beating* my friends at board games).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a talent for beating the competition.

    She has a talent for beating the competition.

    • "For *beating* the competition" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *beating* the competition).

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

Example

They plan to beat the current champion next year.

I hope to beat my personal best in the upcoming tournament.

We want to beat our competitors and win the championship.

He decided to beat his own record and set a new one.

They agreed to beat their opponents with a strong strategy.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

They enjoy beating their opponents in sports competitions.

Experts recommend regular practice for better chances of beating the competition.

I dislike the feeling of beating someone unfairly.

He avoids beating himself up over mistakes.

Can you imagine yourself beating the world record?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to beat her own time in every race. She likes beating her opponents in a fair competition.

We started to beat the other team at their own game. We started beating our rivals consistently.

He began to beat his personal best every time he competed. He began beating his previous records one by one.

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