To Domineer vs Domineering 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 domineer (Infinitive)

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

Example

He refused to domineer over his colleagues.

Domineering (Gerund)

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

Example

Domineering behavior is not appreciated in a team environment.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To domineer (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To domineer is not an effective leadership style.

  To domineer is not an effective leadership style.

  • "*To domineer*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not an effective leadership style).
• 2. Object

  She wants him to domineer in the meeting.

  She wants him to domineer in the meeting.

  • "Him *to domineer* in the meeting" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (him *to domineer* in the meeting).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a leader to domineer the team.

  We need a leader to domineer the team.

  • "*To domineer* the team" modifies the noun "leader."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a leader *to domineer* the team).

Domineering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Domineering is a sign of insecurity and lack of confidence.

  Domineering is a sign of insecurity and lack of confidence.

  • "*Domineering*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of insecurity and lack of confidence).
• 2. Object

  I dislike his domineering attitude.

  I dislike his domineering attitude.

  • "His *domineering* attitude" is the object of the verb "dislike."
  • Noun (I) + verb (dislike) + gerund (his *domineering* attitude).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for domineering others.

  She has a talent for domineering others.

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

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

They plan to domineer over their competitors in the market.

I hope to domineer in my new position at work.

She wants to domineer in every decision-making process.

He decided to domineer during the negotiation.

We agreed to domineer in order to achieve our goals.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys domineering his subordinates.

Experts recommend avoiding domineering behavior in the workplace.

She dislikes his domineering management style.

They avoid working with individuals who have a domineering personality.

Can you imagine dealing with someone's domineering nature every day?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They would like to domineer in every situation. They would like domineering in every situation.

He started to domineer after gaining power. He started domineering after gaining power.

She began to domineer as soon as she was promoted. She began domineering as soon as she was promoted.