To Even vs Evening 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 even (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to even the playing field for everyone.

Evening (Gerund)

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

Example

Evening the scores is important for a fair game.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To even (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To even is a fair approach to the situation.

  To even is a fair approach to the situation.

  • "*To even*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (a fair approach to the situation).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to even the scores in the game.

  She wants me to even the scores in the game.

  • "Me *to even* the scores in the game" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to even* the scores in the game).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a fair system to even the odds.

  We need a fair system to even the odds.

  • "*To even* the odds" modifies the noun "system."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a fair system *to even* the odds).

Evening (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Evening the scores requires accuracy and fairness.

  Evening the scores requires accuracy and fairness.

  • "*Evening* the scores" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (accuracy and fairness).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy evening the playing field.

  I enjoy evening the playing field.

  • "*Evening* the playing field" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*evening* the playing field).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a passion for evening the odds.

  They have a passion for evening the odds.

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

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 even the teams for a fair competition.

I hope to even the distribution of resources.

He wants to even the workload among team members.

We decided to even the playing time for all players.

They agreed to even the opportunity for success.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine
• practice

Example

Experts recommend evening the workload for better productivity.

I avoid evening conflicts in the workplace.

They are considering evening the distribution of resources.

Can you imagine evening the scores in a close game?

She practices evening her skills for a fair competition.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to even the playing field in every game. I like evening the scores to ensure fairness.

They started to even the opportunities for all participants. They started evening the scores to create a level playing field.

He began to even the workload among team members. He began evening the playing field for fair competition.