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 is a key aspect of the design process.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To iterate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To iterate is an essential part of the development process.

  To iterate is an essential part of the development process.

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

  She wants me to iterate on this project.

  She wants me to iterate on this project.

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

  I need a tool to iterate quickly.

  I need a tool to iterate quickly.

  • "*To iterate* quickly" modifies the noun "tool."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a tool *to iterate* quickly).

Iterating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Iterating helps us refine our ideas.

  Iterating helps us refine our ideas.

  • "*Iterating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (helps) + noun phrase (us refine our ideas).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy iterating on different concepts.

  I enjoy iterating on different concepts.

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

  She has a passion for iterating on user experiences.

  She has a passion for iterating on user experiences.

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

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

She plans to iterate on the design tomorrow.

They hope to iterate with user feedback.

He wants to iterate on the code for optimization.

We decided to iterate on the marketing strategy.

They agreed to iterate together for better results.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys iterating on new designs.

They recommend regular iterating for continuous improvement.

I dislike the idea of iterating without clear goals.

He avoids iterating on unnecessary features.

Can you imagine yourself iterating until perfection?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to iterate on complex problems. She likes iterating on complex problems.

We started to iterate on this project. We started iterating on this project.

He began to iterate on the design process. He began iterating on the design process.