To Coincide vs Coinciding 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 coincide (Infinitive)

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

Example

Our schedules coincided perfectly, so we decided to meet up.

Coinciding (Gerund)

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

Example

Coinciding with their anniversary, we threw them a surprise party.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To coincide (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To coincide with the event, we scheduled a meeting.

  To coincide with the event, we scheduled a meeting.

  • "*To coincide*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (with the event).
• 2. Object

  They expected us to coincide with their plans.

  They expected us to coincide with their plans.

  • "Us *to coincide* with their plans" is the object of the verb "expected."
  • Noun (They) + verb (expected) + noun phrase (us *to coincide* with their plans).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a free slot to coincide with their availability.

  We need a free slot to coincide with their availability.

  • "*To coincide* with their availability" modifies the noun "slot."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a free slot *to coincide* with their availability).

Coinciding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Coinciding with the holiday, there will be a special sale.

  Coinciding with the holiday, there will be a special sale.

  • "*Coinciding*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a special sale).
• 2. Object

  I enjoyed coinciding my travel plans with theirs.

  I enjoyed coinciding my travel plans with theirs.

  • "*Coinciding* my travel plans with theirs" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*coinciding* my travel plans with theirs).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of coinciding her outfits with the season.

  She has a habit of coinciding her outfits with the season.

  • "Of *coinciding* her outfits with the season" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *coinciding* her outfits with the season).

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

We plan to coincide our vacations next year.

I hope to coincide with her visit to the city.

He wants to coincide his birthday celebration with a holiday.

They decided to coincide their work schedules for a joint project.

We agreed to coincide our travel plans for convenience.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• suggest

Example

They enjoy coinciding their vacations with local festivals.

Experts recommend coinciding your exercise routine with your circadian rhythm.

He avoids coinciding his work schedule with rush hour.

Can you imagine coinciding your wedding day with a meteor shower?

I suggest coinciding our plans with the weather forecast.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to coincide my travels with major events. I like coinciding my travels with major events.

She started to coincide her work schedule with her partner's. She started coinciding her work schedule with her partner's.

We began to coincide our meetings with lunch breaks. We began coinciding our meetings with lunch breaks.