To Epitomize vs Epitomizing 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 epitomize (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to epitomize professionalism in my work.

Epitomizing (Gerund)

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

Example

Epitomizing professionalism is important in any profession.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To epitomize (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To epitomize is the goal of every artist.

  To epitomize is the goal of every artist.

  • "*To epitomize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the goal of every artist).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to epitomize success in my career.

  She wants me to epitomize success in my career.

  • "Me *to epitomize* success in my career" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to epitomize* success in my career).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a role model to epitomize dedication.

  I need a role model to epitomize dedication.

  • "*To epitomize* dedication" modifies the noun "role model."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a role model *to epitomize* dedication).

Epitomizing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Epitomizing excellence requires constant effort.

  Epitomizing excellence requires constant effort.

  • "*Epitomizing* excellence" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (constant effort).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy epitomizing success in my endeavors.

  I enjoy epitomizing success in my endeavors.

  • "*Epitomizing* success in my endeavors" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*epitomizing* success in my endeavors).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for epitomizing elegance.

  She has a talent for epitomizing elegance.

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

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
• want
• plan
• decide
• attempt

Example

They hope to epitomize excellence in their performance.

He wants to epitomize integrity in his leadership.

She plans to epitomize creativity in her artwork.

We decided to epitomize teamwork in our project.

He attempted to epitomize courage in his actions.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• consider
• practice
• resist
• understand

Example

They recommend epitomizing professionalism in the workplace.

I consider epitomizing excellence to be a priority.

He practices epitomizing honesty in his interactions.

She resists epitomizing mediocrity in her work.

We understand the importance of epitomizing reliability.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to epitomize professionalism in her field. She likes epitomizing professionalism in her field.

We began to epitomize excellence in our organization. We began epitomizing excellence in our organization.

He continues to epitomize dedication in his work. He continues epitomizing dedication in his work.