To Collide vs Colliding 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 collide (Infinitive)

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

Example

I hope to collide with my favorite team in the championship game.

Colliding (Gerund)

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

Example

Colliding with other players can result in injuries.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To collide (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To collide is a natural part of contact sports like football.

  To collide is a natural part of contact sports like football.

  • "*To collide*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural part of contact sports like football).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to collide with the opposing team's best player.

  She wants me to collide with the opposing team's best player.

  • "Me *to collide* with the opposing team's best player" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to collide* with the opposing team's best player).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a helmet to collide safely.

  I need a helmet to collide safely.

  • "*To collide* safely" modifies the noun "helmet."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a helmet *to collide* safely).

Colliding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Colliding is a common occurrence in contact sports.

  Colliding is a common occurrence in contact sports.

  • "*Colliding*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common occurrence in contact sports).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy colliding with opponents during the game.

  I enjoy colliding with opponents during the game.

  • "*Colliding* with opponents during the game" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*colliding* with opponents during the game).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of colliding with other players.

  She has a fear of colliding with other players.

  • "Of *colliding* with other players" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *colliding* with other players).

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
• decide
• attempt
• choose
• determine

Example

They plan to collide with their rivals in the next game.

We decided to collide head-on in the final match.

He attempted to collide with the opponent to win the ball.

She chose to collide with the defender instead of passing the ball.

The coach determined to collide aggressively in the second half.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• imagine
• consider
• discuss

Example

He avoids colliding with aggressive players on the field.

They recommend practicing techniques to minimize colliding with opponents.

Can you imagine yourself colliding with professional athletes?

We are considering colliding with the opponent to gain an advantage.

They discussed the risks of colliding during the game.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to collide with strong opponents. She likes colliding with strong opponents.

We started to collide more aggressively after halftime. We started colliding more aggressively after halftime.

He began to collide with opponents from the first whistle. He began colliding with opponents from the first whistle.