To Misaim vs Misaiming 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 misaim (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to misaim my shot to confuse the goalkeeper.

Misaiming (Gerund)

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

Example

Misaiming is not recommended in any sport.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To misaim (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To misaim is not a good strategy in archery.

  To misaim is not a good strategy in archery.

  • "*To misaim*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a good strategy in archery).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to misaim the ball during the game.

  He wants me to misaim the ball during the game.

  • "Me *to misaim* the ball during the game" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to misaim* the ball during the game).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a target to misaim at.

  We need a target to misaim at.

  • "*To misaim* at" modifies the noun "target."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a target *to misaim* at).

Misaiming (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Misaiming can lead to poor performance.

  Misaiming can lead to poor performance.

  • "*Misaiming*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead to) + noun phrase (poor performance).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy misaiming my shots in target practice.

  I enjoy misaiming my shots in target practice.

  • "*Misaiming* my shots in target practice" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*misaiming* my shots in target practice).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of misaiming her throws.

  She has a habit of misaiming her throws.

  • "Of *misaiming* her throws" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *misaiming* her throws).

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 misaim her throw to confuse the opponent.

They hope to misaim their shots to score unexpected goals.

He wants to misaim his arrow to create a diversion.

We decided to misaim our aim for tactical reasons.

They agreed to misaim their punches to confuse the opponent.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• imagine
• recommend
• consider
• mind

Example

He avoids misaiming his kicks during the match.

Can you imagine yourself misaiming your shots in front of a crowd?

They recommend against misaiming your punches in self-defense.

I am considering misaiming my serve to throw off my opponent.

Do you mind misaiming your throws for this drill?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to misaim her shots for fun. She likes misaiming her shots for fun.

We started to misaim our throws to confuse the defense. We started misaiming our throws to confuse the defense.

He began to misaim his arrows during practice. He began misaiming his arrows during practice.