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To Out vs Outing Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To out (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to out my friend's secret.

Outing (Gerund)

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

Example

Outing someone can have serious consequences.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To out (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To out someone is a betrayal of trust.

    To out someone is a betrayal of trust.

    • "*To out* someone" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a betrayal of trust).
  • 2Object

    He wants me to out his rival's plans.

    He wants me to out his rival's plans.

    • "Me *to out* his rival's plans" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to out* his rival's plans).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    She needs a reliable source to out the truth.

    She needs a reliable source to out the truth.

    • "*To out* the truth" modifies the noun "source."
    • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a reliable source *to out* the truth).

Outing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Outing is a violation of privacy.

    Outing is a violation of privacy.

    • "*Outing*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a violation of privacy).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy outing with friends.

    I enjoy outing with friends.

    • "*Outing* with friends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*outing* with friends).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    They had a discussion about outing celebrities.

    They had a discussion about outing celebrities.

    • "About *outing* celebrities" is the object of the preposition "about."
    • Noun phrase (They) + verb (had) + noun phrase (a discussion about *outing* celebrities).

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 decided to out the company's unethical practices.

They pretended to out confidential information.

He demanded me to out my sources.

She struggled to out her feelings for him.

We managed to out the hidden agenda.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She avoids outing sensitive information.

He considered outing his opponent's scandals.

They recommend outing toxic individuals from your life.

I delayed outing my plans until the right moment.

Can you imagine outing someone against their will?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to out people who are dishonest. She likes outing people who are dishonest.

We started to out the truth about the conspiracy. We started outing the truth about the conspiracy.

He began to out his colleague's wrongdoings. He began outing his colleague's wrongdoings.

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