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 hope to evolve new strategies to combat the virus.

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 technology is shaping the future of our society.

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

  She wants me to evolve my skills in order to succeed.

  She wants me to evolve my skills in order to succeed.

  • "Me *to evolve* my skills in order to succeed" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to evolve* my skills in order to succeed).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a plan to evolve our business strategy.

  I need a plan to evolve our business strategy.

  • "*To evolve* our business strategy" modifies the noun "plan."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a plan *to evolve* our business strategy).

Evolving (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Evolving technology has revolutionized various industries.

  Evolving technology has revolutionized various industries.

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

  I enjoy evolving my skills to stay ahead in my career.

  I enjoy evolving my skills to stay ahead in my career.

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

  They are fascinated by the process of evolving technology.

  They are fascinated by the process of evolving technology.

  • "The process of *evolving* technology" is the object of the preposition "by."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are) + noun phrase (the process of *evolving* technology).

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
• decide
• attempt
• determine

Example

They plan to evolve their marketing strategy for the upcoming campaign.

We hope to evolve our understanding of the universe through scientific research.

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

She attempted to evolve a more efficient method for data analysis.

The team determined to evolve their product based on customer feedback.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys evolving her art style and experimenting with new techniques.

Experts recommend constantly evolving your skills to adapt to the changing job market.

We are considering evolving our business model to better serve our customers.

He avoids evolving conflicts by addressing issues proactively.

Can you imagine a world without evolving technology?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to evolve my understanding of the subject. I would like evolving my understanding of the subject.

They started to evolve their product based on customer feedback. They started evolving their product based on customer feedback.

He began to evolve his teaching methods to better engage his students. He began evolving his teaching methods to better engage his students.