To Maneuver vs Maneuvering 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 maneuver (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to maneuver through the crowd to get to the front.

Maneuvering (Gerund)

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

Example

Maneuvering through a busy intersection can be challenging.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To maneuver (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To maneuver in tight spaces requires skill and precision.

  To maneuver in tight spaces requires skill and precision.

  • "*To maneuver*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (skill and precision).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to maneuver the car into the parking spot.

  She wants me to maneuver the car into the parking spot.

  • "Me *to maneuver* the car into the parking spot" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to maneuver* the car into the parking spot).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a small vehicle to maneuver through narrow streets.

  I need a small vehicle to maneuver through narrow streets.

  • "*To maneuver* through narrow streets" modifies the noun "vehicle."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a small vehicle *to maneuver* through narrow streets).

Maneuvering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Maneuvering heavy machinery requires training and experience.

  Maneuvering heavy machinery requires training and experience.

  • "*Maneuvering*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (training and experience).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy maneuvering through difficult obstacles.

  I enjoy maneuvering through difficult obstacles.

  • "*Maneuvering* through difficult obstacles" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*maneuvering* through difficult obstacles).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for maneuvering in tight spaces.

  She has a talent for maneuvering in tight spaces.

  • "For *maneuvering* in tight spaces" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *maneuvering* in tight spaces).

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 maneuver through the obstacle course tomorrow.

They hope to maneuver around the traffic jam during their commute.

He wants to maneuver through the crowded marketplace.

We decided to maneuver through the maze for fun.

They agreed to maneuver together in the synchronized swimming routine.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys maneuvering through crowded areas with ease.

They recommend practicing maneuvering in different situations.

I dislike the idea of maneuvering in heavy traffic.

He avoids maneuvering in dangerous conditions.

Can you imagine yourself maneuvering through a complex maze?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to maneuver through tight spaces. She likes maneuvering through tight spaces.

We started to maneuver the obstacle course. We started maneuvering the obstacle course.

He began to maneuver the vehicle smoothly. He began maneuvering the vehicle smoothly.