To Iterate vs Iterating 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 iterate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to iterate on this design to make it better.

Iterating (Gerund)

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

Example

Iterating allows us to refine our ideas.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To iterate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To iterate is an essential part of the creative process.

  To iterate is an essential part of the creative process.

  • "*To iterate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential part of the creative process).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to iterate on the project.

  She wants me to iterate on the project.

  • "Me *to iterate* on the project" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to iterate* on the project).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a feedback loop to iterate quickly.

  We need a feedback loop to iterate quickly.

  • "*To iterate* quickly" modifies the noun "feedback loop."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a feedback loop *to iterate* quickly).

Iterating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Iterating is a common practice in software development.

  Iterating is a common practice in software development.

  • "*Iterating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice in software development).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy iterating on my artwork.

  I enjoy iterating on my artwork.

  • "*Iterating* on my artwork" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*iterating* on my artwork).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for iterating on new business ideas.

  She has a passion for iterating on new business ideas.

  • "For *iterating* on new business ideas" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *iterating* on new business ideas).

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
• decide
• attempt
• struggle
• manage

Example

They plan to iterate on the software development process.

We decided to iterate on the marketing strategy.

He attempted to iterate on the code to fix the bug.

She struggled to iterate on the design to find the right solution.

They managed to iterate on the project within the given timeline.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• mind
• consider

Example

He enjoys iterating on different recipes in the kitchen.

They recommend iterating on the design to gather user feedback.

I avoid iterating on the same task multiple times.

Do you mind iterating on the presentation slides?

We are considering iterating on the product packaging.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to iterate on my writing before publishing. I like iterating on my writing before publishing.

She started to iterate on the project plan. She started iterating on the project plan.

We began to iterate on the website design. We began iterating on the website design.