To Nonplus vs Nonplusing 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 nonplus (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to nonplus my opponents with my strategic moves.

Nonplusing (Gerund)

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

Example

Nonplusing others can be a powerful tool in negotiations.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To nonplus (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To nonplus is a challenging puzzle to solve.

  To nonplus is a challenging puzzle to solve.

  • "*To nonplus*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a challenging puzzle to solve).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to nonplus her with my skills.

  She wants me to nonplus her with my skills.

  • "Me *to nonplus* her with my skills" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to nonplus* her with my skills).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a strategy to nonplus my opponents.

  I need a strategy to nonplus my opponents.

  • "*To nonplus* my opponents" modifies the noun "strategy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to nonplus* my opponents).

Nonplusing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Nonplusing is a technique used in debates.

  Nonplusing is a technique used in debates.

  • "*Nonplusing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a technique used in debates).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy nonplusing my opponents with unexpected moves.

  I enjoy nonplusing my opponents with unexpected moves.

  • "*Nonplusing* my opponents with unexpected moves" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*nonplusing* my opponents with unexpected moves).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for nonplusing others.

  She has a talent for nonplusing others.

  • "For *nonplusing* others" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *nonplusing* others).

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 nonplus her competitors in the next round.

They hope to nonplus the judges with their performance.

He wants to nonplus his opponents with unexpected moves.

We decided to nonplus our rivals with our new tactics.

They agreed to nonplus the audience with their mind-blowing tricks.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys nonplusing her opponents in every debate.

They recommend nonplusing your competitors to gain an advantage.

I dislike the idea of nonplusing others for personal gain.

He avoids nonplusing his colleagues during team discussions.

Can you imagine yourself nonplusing your opponents with your arguments?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to nonplus her opponents with unexpected moves. She likes nonplusing her opponents with unexpected moves.

We started to nonplus our rivals in the competition. We started nonplusing our rivals in the competition.

He began to nonplus his opponents with his clever strategies. He began nonplusing his opponents with his clever strategies.