To Outglare vs Outglaring 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 outglare (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to outglare my opponent in order to maintain sportsmanship.

Outglaring (Gerund)

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

Example

Outglaring your opponent can create an uncomfortable atmosphere.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To outglare (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To outglare is not an effective strategy in a negotiation.

  To outglare is not an effective strategy in a negotiation.

  • "*To outglare*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not an effective strategy in a negotiation).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to outglare our competitors.

  She wants me to outglare our competitors.

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

  I need a strong personality to outglare others.

  I need a strong personality to outglare others.

  • "*To outglare* others" modifies the noun "personality."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong personality *to outglare* others).

Outglaring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Outglaring is considered rude in some cultures.

  Outglaring is considered rude in some cultures.

  • "*Outglaring*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (considered rude in some cultures).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy outglaring my opponents in a staring contest.

  I enjoy outglaring my opponents in a staring contest.

  • "*Outglaring* my opponents in a staring contest" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*outglaring* my opponents in a staring contest).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for outglaring her rivals.

  She has a talent for outglaring her rivals.

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

• decide
• plan
• pretend
• attempt
• wish

Example

We decided to outglare our opponents during the debate.

She plans to outglare her rival at the competition.

He pretended to outglare his opponent, but it didn't intimidate anyone.

They attempted to outglare each other before the match.

I wish to outglare my fears and doubts.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• mind
• recommend
• imagine
• consider

Example

He avoids outglaring others to maintain a friendly atmosphere.

I don't mind outglaring my opponents in a game of poker.

They recommend outglaring your competitors to assert dominance.

Can you imagine yourself outglaring a lion in the wild?

Many people consider outglaring to be disrespectful.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to outglare her adversaries. She likes outglaring her adversaries.

We began to outglare our opponents during the game. We began outglaring our opponents during the game.

He continues to outglare his rivals in every competition. He continues outglaring his rivals in every competition.