To Eclipse vs Eclipsing 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 eclipse (Infinitive)

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

Example

They plan to eclipse their previous record in the upcoming competition.

Eclipsing (Gerund)

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

Example

Eclipsing their competitors is their main objective.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To eclipse (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To eclipse the competition is their ultimate goal.

  To eclipse the competition is their ultimate goal.

  • "*To eclipse* the competition" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (their ultimate goal).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to eclipse her performance in the show.

  She wants me to eclipse her performance in the show.

  • "Me *to eclipse* her performance in the show" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to eclipse* her performance in the show).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a strategy to eclipse my opponents.

  I need a strategy to eclipse my opponents.

  • "*To eclipse* my opponents" modifies the noun "strategy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to eclipse* my opponents).

Eclipsing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Eclipsing the competition requires dedication and hard work.

  Eclipsing the competition requires dedication and hard work.

  • "*Eclipsing* the competition" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (dedication and hard work).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy eclipsing my opponents in every game.

  I enjoy eclipsing my opponents in every game.

  • "*Eclipsing* my opponents in every game" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*eclipsing* my opponents in every game).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a passion for eclipsing industry standards.

  They have a passion for eclipsing industry standards.

  • "For *eclipsing* industry standards" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a passion for *eclipsing* industry standards).

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

• hope
• decide
• want
• determine
• struggle

Example

They hope to eclipse their rivals in the final match.

We decided to eclipse our previous achievements.

He wants to eclipse his own personal best.

She determined to eclipse the current world record.

They struggled to eclipse their competitor's sales.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• imagine

Example

He avoids eclipsing others' achievements to maintain harmony.

They recommend eclipsing the competition through innovation.

I am considering eclipsing my previous accomplishments.

Do you mind eclipsing your own records?

Can you imagine yourself eclipsing the industry leaders?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to eclipse her opponents in every game. She likes eclipsing her opponents in every game.

We started to eclipse our competitors' sales. We started eclipsing our competitors' sales.

He began to eclipse his previous records. He began eclipsing his previous records.