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To Gloss vs Glossing Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To gloss (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to gloss over the difficult parts of the presentation.

Glossing (Gerund)

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

Example

Glossing is a useful technique in language learning.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To gloss (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To gloss is an important skill for translators.

    To gloss is an important skill for translators.

    • "*To gloss*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important skill for translators).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to gloss the document before submitting it.

    She wants me to gloss the document before submitting it.

    • "Me *to gloss* the document before submitting it" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to gloss* the document before submitting it).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a clear explanation to gloss over any confusion.

    I need a clear explanation to gloss over any confusion.

    • "*To gloss* over any confusion" modifies the noun "explanation."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a clear explanation *to gloss* over any confusion).

Glossing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Glossing helps to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words.

    Glossing helps to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words.

    • "*Glossing*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (helps) + noun phrase (to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy glossing the text to improve comprehension.

    I enjoy glossing the text to improve comprehension.

    • "*Glossing* the text to improve comprehension" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*glossing* the text to improve comprehension).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a talent for glossing difficult phrases.

    She has a talent for glossing difficult phrases.

    • "For *glossing* difficult phrases" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *glossing* difficult phrases).

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

Example

She plans to gloss the report tomorrow.

They hope to gloss the details during the meeting.

He wants to gloss the presentation slides.

We decided to gloss the important points.

They agreed to gloss the findings together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys glossing foreign language texts.

They recommend regular glossing for language learners.

I dislike the idea of glossing lengthy passages.

He avoids glossing complicated grammar rules.

Can you imagine yourself glossing an entire dictionary?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to gloss over the difficult parts of the article. She likes glossing over the difficult parts of the article.

We started to gloss our language notes. We started glossing our language notes.

He began to gloss the vocabulary list. He began glossing the vocabulary list.

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