To Flank vs Flanking 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 flank (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to flank the enemy to surprise them from behind.

Flanking (Gerund)

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

Example

Flanking is a strategic maneuver used in warfare.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To flank (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To flank is a common tactic in military operations.

  To flank is a common tactic in military operations.

  • "*To flank*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common tactic in military operations).
• 2. Object

  They want me to flank the opponent in the game.

  They want me to flank the opponent in the game.

  • "Me *to flank* the opponent in the game" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (me *to flank* the opponent in the game).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a strong team to flank the enemy.

  He needs a strong team to flank the enemy.

  • "*To flank* the enemy" modifies the noun "team."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a strong team *to flank* the enemy).

Flanking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Flanking can be a game-changer in battles.

  Flanking can be a game-changer in battles.

  • "*Flanking*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (a game-changer in battles).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy flanking the enemy in video games.

  I enjoy flanking the enemy in video games.

  • "*Flanking* the enemy in video games" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*flanking* the enemy in video games).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for flanking the opposition.

  He has a talent for flanking the opposition.

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

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

We plan to flank the enemy during the night.

She hopes to flank the competition and win the race.

They want to flank the enemy's headquarters.

He decided to flank the opponent from the left side.

We agreed to flank the enemy together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys flanking her opponents in sports.

Experts recommend flanking as a strategic move in battles.

I dislike the idea of flanking without proper support.

They avoid flanking in unfavorable situations.

Can you imagine yourself flanking the enemy lines?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He likes to flank the enemy from unexpected angles. He likes flanking the enemy from unexpected angles.

They started to flank their opponents in the second half. They started flanking their opponents in the second half.

She began to flank strategically in every battle. She began flanking strategically in every battle.