To Draw Out vs Drawing out 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 draw out (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to draw out the details of the story.

Drawing out (Gerund)

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

Example

Drawing out the truth can be challenging.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To draw out (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To draw out your creativity is important for artistic expression.

  To draw out your creativity is important for artistic expression.

  • "*To draw out* your creativity" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (your creativity).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to draw out the hidden meanings in the painting.

  She wants me to draw out the hidden meanings in the painting.

  • "Me *to draw out* the hidden meanings in the painting" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to draw out* the hidden meanings in the painting).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a longer pencil to draw out the lines accurately.

  I need a longer pencil to draw out the lines accurately.

  • "*To draw out* the lines accurately" modifies the noun "pencil."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a longer pencil *to draw out* the lines accurately).

Drawing out (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Drawing out people's opinions is a valuable skill in leadership.

  Drawing out people's opinions is a valuable skill in leadership.

  • "*Drawing out* people's opinions" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (people's opinions).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy drawing out the essence of a character in my artwork.

  I enjoy drawing out the essence of a character in my artwork.

  • "*Drawing out* the essence of a character in my artwork" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*drawing out* the essence of a character in my artwork).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for drawing out the best in others.

  She has a talent for drawing out the best in others.

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

She plans to draw out a detailed map for the journey.

They hope to draw out the best performance from their actors.

He wants to draw out the emotions of the audience.

We decided to draw out the discussion to gather more insights.

They agreed to draw out the negotiation process.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

She enjoys drawing out stories from people's experiences.

They recommend drawing out the details before making a decision.

I avoid drawing out the meeting unnecessarily.

Can you imagine yourself drawing out your innermost thoughts on paper?

He considered drawing out the conversation to gain more insights.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to draw out the emotions in her paintings. She likes drawing out the hidden meanings in artworks.

We started to draw out our ideas on the whiteboard. We started drawing out sketches for the project.

He began to draw out the details of the crime scene. He began drawing out the characters for his comic book.