To Intersect vs Intersecting 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 intersect (Infinitive)

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

Example

I plan to intersect with the other team's path to block their progress.

Intersecting (Gerund)

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

Example

Intersecting lines create a cross shape.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To intersect (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To intersect is a common strategy in chess.

  To intersect is a common strategy in chess.

  • "*To intersect*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common strategy in chess).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to intersect with her route.

  She wants me to intersect with her route.

  • "Me *to intersect* with her route" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to intersect* with her route).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a marker to intersect the lines.

  I need a marker to intersect the lines.

  • "*To intersect* the lines" modifies the noun "marker."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a marker *to intersect* the lines).

Intersecting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Intersecting roads can cause traffic congestion.

  Intersecting roads can cause traffic congestion.

  • "*Intersecting* roads" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can cause) + noun phrase (traffic congestion).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy intersecting different geometric shapes.

  I enjoy intersecting different geometric shapes.

  • "*Intersecting* different geometric shapes" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*intersecting* different geometric shapes).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for intersecting lines.

  She has a passion for intersecting lines.

  • "For *intersecting* lines" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *intersecting* lines).

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 intersect their paths during the game.

We hope to intersect with the opposing team's plan.

They want to intersect at the center of the field.

She decided to intersect their trajectories to create a diversion.

They agreed to intersect their paths at the intersection.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

He enjoys intersecting paths in maze puzzles.

They recommend intersecting lines to create interesting patterns.

I avoid intersecting traffic by taking alternate routes.

Can you imagine intersecting timelines in a sci-fi movie?

She considers intersecting shapes in her artwork.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to intersect different paths in my drawings. I like intersecting different paths in my drawings.

They started to intersect their paths during the race. They started intersecting their paths during the race.

He began to intersect the lines to form a star. He began intersecting the lines to form a star.