To Outburn vs Outburning 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 outburn (Infinitive)

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

Example

I plan to outburn my previous record in the marathon.

Outburning (Gerund)

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

Example

Outburning your competition requires dedication and hard work.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To outburn (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To outburn your opponent is a key strategy in this game.

  To outburn your opponent is a key strategy in this game.

  • "*To outburn* your opponent" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a key strategy in this game).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to outburn her in the race.

  She wants me to outburn her in the race.

  • "Me *to outburn* her in the race" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to outburn* her in the race).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a stronger mindset to outburn my limitations.

  I need a stronger mindset to outburn my limitations.

  • "*To outburn* my limitations" modifies the noun "mindset."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a stronger mindset *to outburn* my limitations).

Outburning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Outburning others is not always the best approach.

  Outburning others is not always the best approach.

  • "*Outburning* others" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not always the best approach).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy outburning my opponents in every match.

  I enjoy outburning my opponents in every match.

  • "*Outburning* my opponents in every match" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*outburning* my opponents in every match).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for outburning her competitors.

  She has a talent for outburning her competitors.

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

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

• hope
• want
• refuse
• decide
• manage

Example

They hope to outburn their personal best in the competition.

He wants to outburn his rivals in the race.

I refuse to outburn my teammates' efforts.

We decided to outburn our opponents with our performance.

She managed to outburn her fatigue and finish the race.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• imagine
• consider
• practice

Example

He avoids outburning his teammates' efforts.

They recommend regular outburning for improved performance.

Can you imagine yourself outburning the current champion?

I am considering outburning my own expectations.

She practices outburning her opponents' endurance.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to outburn her previous records. She likes outburning her opponents.

We started to outburn our competition. We started outburning our competition.

He began to outburn his own limits. He began outburning his opponents.