To Evolve vs Evolving 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 evolve (Infinitive)

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

Example

Scientists strive to evolve new theories based on their research.

Evolving (Gerund)

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

Example

Evolving technologies are shaping the future of communication.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To evolve (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To evolve is a natural process that occurs over time.

  To evolve is a natural process that occurs over time.

  • "*To evolve*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural process that occurs over time).
• 2. Object

  We encourage our employees to evolve their skills and knowledge.

  We encourage our employees to evolve their skills and knowledge.

  • "Our employees *to evolve* their skills and knowledge" is the object of the verb "encourage."
  • Noun (We) + verb (encourage) + noun phrase (our employees *to evolve* their skills and knowledge).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a supportive environment to evolve as an artist.

  He needs a supportive environment to evolve as an artist.

  • "*To evolve* as an artist" modifies the noun "environment."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a supportive environment *to evolve* as an artist).

Evolving (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Evolving technologies have revolutionized various industries.

  Evolving technologies have revolutionized various industries.

  • "*Evolving* technologies" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (have) + noun phrase (various industries).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy evolving my skills through continuous learning.

  I enjoy evolving my skills through continuous learning.

  • "*Evolving* my skills through continuous learning" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*evolving* my skills through continuous learning).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a deep interest in the evolving field of artificial intelligence.

  She has a deep interest in the evolving field of artificial intelligence.

  • "In the *evolving* field of artificial intelligence" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a deep interest in the *evolving* field of artificial intelligence).

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
• struggle
• decide

Example

I hope to evolve into a better version of myself.

They want to evolve their business strategy for better results.

She plans to evolve her design skills by taking courses.

We struggle to evolve our understanding of complex concepts.

He decided to evolve his career path and pursue a different field.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy evolving their business strategies to adapt to market changes.

Experts recommend evolving your skills to stay relevant in the job market.

We are considering evolving our product based on customer feedback.

She avoids evolving conflicts by maintaining open communication.

Can you imagine the possibilities of evolving technology in the future?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• continue

Example

I like to evolve my artistic style. I like evolving my artistic style.

They started to evolve their business model. They started evolving their business model.

He continues to evolve his skills through practice. He continues evolving his skills through practice.