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

She refuses to domineer over her employees.

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 acceptable in a team.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To domineer (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To domineer is a sign of insecurity.

  To domineer is a sign of insecurity.

  • "*To domineer*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of insecurity).
• 2. Object

  He wants his team to domineer in the game.

  He wants his team to domineer in the game.

  • "His team *to domineer* in the game" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (his team *to domineer* in the game).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  She needs a strong personality to domineer in the workplace.

  She needs a strong personality to domineer in the workplace.

  • "*To domineer* in the workplace" modifies the noun "personality."
  • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a strong personality *to domineer* in the workplace).

Domineering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Domineering can cause conflicts in relationships.

  Domineering can cause conflicts in relationships.

  • "*Domineering*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can cause) + noun phrase (conflicts in relationships).
• 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

  They had a discussion about domineering in the workplace.

  They had a discussion about domineering in the workplace.

  • "About *domineering* in the workplace" is the object of the preposition "about."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (had) + noun phrase (a discussion about *domineering* in the workplace).

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
• learn
• attempt
• struggle
• demand

Example

They decided to domineer in their negotiations.

He learned to domineer from his boss.

She attempted to domineer over her colleagues.

They struggle to domineer in their relationships.

He demanded to domineer in the board meeting.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• delay
• imagine

Example

She avoids domineering others in group projects.

They are considering domineering as a leadership style.

Experts recommend avoiding domineering behavior in relationships.

He delayed domineering until he understood the situation better.

Can you imagine domineering in a team environment?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• try

Example

I don't like to domineer over my subordinates. I don't like domineering behavior in the workplace.

She began to domineer after gaining power. She began domineering after gaining power.

He will try to domineer during the negotiation. He will try domineering during the negotiation.