To Outgas vs Outgassing 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 outgas (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to outgas the sample before conducting the experiment.

Outgassing (Gerund)

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

Example

Outgassing can affect the performance of electronic components.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To outgas (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To outgas is an important step in preparing the material for analysis.

  To outgas is an important step in preparing the material for analysis.

  • "*To outgas*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in preparing the material for analysis).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to outgas the equipment.

  She wants me to outgas the equipment.

  • "Me *to outgas* the equipment" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to outgas* the equipment).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a vacuum chamber to outgas the samples.

  We need a vacuum chamber to outgas the samples.

  • "*To outgas* the samples" modifies the noun "vacuum chamber."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a vacuum chamber *to outgas* the samples).

Outgassing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Outgassing is a common issue in space applications.

  Outgassing is a common issue in space applications.

  • "*Outgassing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common issue in space applications).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy outgassing the materials in the lab.

  I enjoy outgassing the materials in the lab.

  • "*Outgassing* the materials in the lab" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*outgassing* the materials in the lab).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has experience with the process of outgassing.

  He has experience with the process of outgassing.

  • "With the process of *outgassing*" is the object of the preposition "with."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience with the process of *outgassing*).

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
• decide
• hope
• want
• determine

Example

They plan to outgas the material overnight.

We decided to outgas the samples at a higher temperature.

He hopes to outgas all the impurities from the sample.

She wants to outgas the product before packaging.

The scientists determined to outgas the substance for accurate measurements.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• delay
• imagine

Example

Experts recommend thorough outgassing before assembly.

It is important to avoid excessive outgassing in sensitive environments.

They are considering the effects of outgassing on the final product.

The project was delayed due to unexpected outgassing issues.

Imagine the consequences of inadequate outgassing in aerospace applications.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to outgas the sample before testing. I would like outgassing the sample before testing.

They started to outgas the materials early in the morning. They started outgassing the materials early in the morning.

We began to outgas the equipment for optimal performance. We began outgassing the equipment for optimal performance.