To Bisect vs Bisecting 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 bisect (Infinitive)

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

Example

I plan to bisect the line to find the midpoint.

Bisecting (Gerund)

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

Example

Bisecting the line accurately is essential in geometry.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To bisect (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To bisect a line requires precision and accuracy.

  To bisect a line requires precision and accuracy.

  • "*To bisect* a line" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (precision and accuracy).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to bisect the shape into equal parts.

  She wants me to bisect the shape into equal parts.

  • "Me *to bisect* the shape into equal parts" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to bisect* the shape into equal parts).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a ruler to bisect the line accurately.

  I need a ruler to bisect the line accurately.

  • "*To bisect* the line accurately" modifies the noun "ruler."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a ruler *to bisect* the line accurately).

Bisecting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Bisecting the angle requires careful measurement.

  Bisecting the angle requires careful measurement.

  • "*Bisecting* the angle" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful measurement).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy bisecting shapes and finding their midpoints.

  I enjoy bisecting shapes and finding their midpoints.

  • "*Bisecting* shapes and finding their midpoints" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*bisecting* shapes and finding their midpoints).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for bisecting lines and angles.

  She has a talent for bisecting lines and angles.

  • "For *bisecting* lines and angles" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *bisecting* lines and angles).

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

• decide
• hope
• want
• attempt
• choose

Example

We decided to bisect the angle for our geometry project.

They hope to bisect the circle perfectly.

He wants to bisect the triangle into two equal halves.

She attempted to bisect the line segment, but made a mistake.

We chose to bisect the polygon into four congruent parts.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider
• practice

Example

They recommend bisecting the line at its midpoint for accurate measurements.

He avoids bisecting irregular shapes due to their complexity.

Can you imagine yourself bisecting geometric figures with ease?

We are considering bisecting the angle to find its measure.

She practices bisecting angles to improve her geometry skills.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to bisect shapes into equal parts. She likes bisecting shapes into equal parts.

We began to bisect lines in our geometry class. We began bisecting lines in our geometry class.

He continues to bisect angles to explore geometric properties. He continues bisecting angles to explore geometric properties.