To Mistype vs Mistyping 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 mistype (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to mistype the document in order to demonstrate the error.

Mistyping (Gerund)

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

Example

Mistyping can lead to misunderstandings in written communication.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To mistype (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To mistype is a common error in typing.

  To mistype is a common error in typing.

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

  He wants me to mistype the report.

  He wants me to mistype the report.

  • "Me *to mistype* the report" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to mistype* the report).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  She needs a typewriter to mistype on.

  She needs a typewriter to mistype on.

  • "*To mistype* on" modifies the noun "typewriter."
  • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a typewriter *to mistype* on).

Mistyping (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Mistyping is a common occurrence in typing.

  Mistyping is a common occurrence in typing.

  • "*Mistyping*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common occurrence in typing).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy mistyping on purpose to add humor to my messages.

  I enjoy mistyping on purpose to add humor to my messages.

  • "*Mistyping* on purpose" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*mistyping* on purpose).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a habit of mistyping important details.

  They have a habit of mistyping important details.

  • "Of *mistyping* important details" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a habit of *mistyping* important details).

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

They plan to mistype intentionally for comedic effect.

I hope to mistype less frequently in the future.

She wants to mistype a few words to create emphasis.

He decided to mistype on purpose as part of the experiment.

We agreed to mistype some sentences for stylistic reasons.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

She enjoys mistyping words for creative purposes.

Experts recommend double-checking to avoid mistyping errors.

He avoids mistyping by using spell checkers and grammar tools.

Can you imagine constantly mistyping important information?

I am considering mistyping as a form of self-expression.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to mistype funny messages. I like mistyping funny messages.

We started to mistype intentionally for artistic reasons. We started mistyping intentionally for artistic reasons.

She began to mistype as a way to experiment with language. She began mistyping as a way to experiment with language.