To Exude vs Exuding 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 exude (Infinitive)

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

Example

She wants to exude confidence in her presentation.

Exuding (Gerund)

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

Example

Exuding confidence can make a great impression.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To exude (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To exude confidence is important in job interviews.

  To exude confidence is important in job interviews.

  • "*To exude* confidence" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important in job interviews).
• 2. Object

  He wants his team members to exude professionalism.

  He wants his team members to exude professionalism.

  • "His team members *to exude* professionalism" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (his team members *to exude* professionalism).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  She needs an outfit to exude elegance.

  She needs an outfit to exude elegance.

  • "*To exude* elegance" modifies the noun "outfit."
  • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (an outfit *to exude* elegance).

Exuding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Exuding enthusiasm is contagious.

  Exuding enthusiasm is contagious.

  • "*Exuding* enthusiasm" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (contagious).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy exuding creativity in my artwork.

  I enjoy exuding creativity in my artwork.

  • "*Exuding* creativity" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*exuding* creativity).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for exuding charm.

  He has a talent for exuding charm.

  • "For *exuding* charm" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *exuding* charm).

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

He plans to exude confidence during his presentation.

They hope to exude enthusiasm in their performance.

She wants to exude positivity in her interactions.

We decided to exude professionalism at the meeting.

They agreed to exude calmness during the crisis.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys exuding confidence in social situations.

They recommend exuding positivity in interviews.

I dislike the idea of exuding arrogance.

He avoids exuding negativity in his conversations.

Can you imagine yourself exuding charisma?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to exude elegance in her style. She likes exuding elegance in her style.

We started to exude confidence in our performances. We started exuding confidence in our performances.

He began to exude positivity in his interactions. He began exuding positivity in his interactions.