When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To outclass (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to outclass" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
Our team wants to outclass the competition in the upcoming tournament.
Outclassing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "outclassing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Outclassing our rivals gives us a sense of accomplishment.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To outclass (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To outclass is our main goal in this game.
To outclass is our main goal in this game.
- "*To outclass*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (our main goal in this game).
- 2Object
He expects us to outclass the other team.
He expects us to outclass the other team.
- "Us *to outclass* the other team" is the object of the verb "expects."
- Noun (He) + verb (expects) + noun phrase (us *to outclass* the other team).
- 3Adjective Modifier
They need a strategy to outclass their opponents.
They need a strategy to outclass their opponents.
- "*To outclass* their opponents" modifies the noun "strategy."
- Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to outclass* their opponents).
Outclassing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Outclassing the competition requires dedication and hard work.
Outclassing the competition requires dedication and hard work.
- "*Outclassing* the competition" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (dedication and hard work).
- 2Object
I enjoy outclassing my opponents in every match.
I enjoy outclassing my opponents in every match.
- "*Outclassing* my opponents in every match" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*outclassing* my opponents in every match).
- 3Object of Preposition
She takes pride in outclassing her rivals.
She takes pride in outclassing her rivals.
- "In *outclassing* her rivals" is the object of the preposition "in."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (takes) + noun phrase (pride in *outclassing* her rivals).
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
Example
We plan to outclass the reigning champions next season.
She hopes to outclass her previous performance in the next competition.
He wants to outclass all his competitors in the race.
They decided to outclass their opponents with their new tactics.
We agreed to outclass the other team by working together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys outclassing his opponents with his skills.
They recommend outclassing the competition through continuous improvement.
I dislike the feeling of not outclassing my rivals.
She avoids outclassing her teammates to maintain team harmony.
Can you imagine outclassing your competitors in every game?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
We would like to outclass the other teams in the league. We would like outclassing the other teams in the league.
He started to outclass his opponents from the beginning. He started outclassing his opponents from the beginning.
She began to outclass her competitors with her exceptional skills. She began outclassing her competitors with her exceptional skills.
