To Eye vs Eying 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 eye (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to eye that new car in the showroom.

Eying (Gerund)

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

Example

Eying expensive jewelry can be tempting.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To eye (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To eye is not considered polite in most cultures.

  To eye is not considered polite in most cultures.

  • "*To eye*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (not considered polite in most cultures).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to eye her outfit before she goes out.

  She wants me to eye her outfit before she goes out.

  • "Me *to eye* her outfit before she goes out" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to eye* her outfit before she goes out).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a magnifying glass to eye the tiny details.

  I need a magnifying glass to eye the tiny details.

  • "*To eye* the tiny details" modifies the noun "magnifying glass."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a magnifying glass *to eye* the tiny details).

Eying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Eying beautiful artwork is a delightful experience.

  Eying beautiful artwork is a delightful experience.

  • "*Eying* beautiful artwork" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a delightful experience).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy eying antique furniture at flea markets.

  I enjoy eying antique furniture at flea markets.

  • "*Eying* antique furniture at flea markets" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*eying* antique furniture at flea markets).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for eying potential fashion trends.

  She has a talent for eying potential fashion trends.

  • "For *eying* potential fashion trends" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *eying* potential fashion trends).

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

• decide
• pretend
• wish
• struggle
• refuse

Example

We decided to eye that painting at the art gallery.

He pretended to eye the bookshelf, but he was actually looking for his keys.

They wish to eye the famous landmarks during their trip.

She struggled to eye the fine print on the contract.

I refused to eye the tempting dessert.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• mind
• consider

Example

They recommend eying the competition to stay ahead.

He avoids eying his neighbor's possessions.

Can you imagine yourself eying the sunset on a beach?

Do you mind me eying your artwork?

She is considering eying a new career path.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He likes to eye expensive cars. He likes eying expensive cars.

They started to eye luxury properties. They started eying luxury properties.

I began to eye designer clothing. I began eying designer clothing.