To Outgrow vs Outgrowing 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 outgrow (Infinitive)

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

Example

Children often outgrow their clothes as they get older.

Outgrowing (Gerund)

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

Example

Outgrowing certain behaviors is a sign of personal growth.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To outgrow (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To outgrow is a natural part of growing up.

  To outgrow is a natural part of growing up.

  • "*To outgrow*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural part of growing up).
• 2. Object

  She wants her son to outgrow his allergies.

  She wants her son to outgrow his allergies.

  • "Her son *to outgrow* his allergies" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (her son *to outgrow* his allergies).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a bigger shoe size to outgrow my current shoes.

  I need a bigger shoe size to outgrow my current shoes.

  • "*To outgrow* my current shoes" modifies the noun "shoe size."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a bigger shoe size *to outgrow* my current shoes).

Outgrowing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Outgrowing bad habits takes time and effort.

  Outgrowing bad habits takes time and effort.

  • "*Outgrowing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (takes) + noun phrase (time and effort).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy watching my plants outgrowing their pots.

  I enjoy watching my plants outgrowing their pots.

  • "Watching my plants *outgrowing* their pots" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (watching my plants *outgrowing* their pots).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of outgrowing her friends.

  She has a fear of outgrowing her friends.

  • "Of *outgrowing* her friends" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *outgrowing* her friends).

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
• hope
• want
• attempt
• choose

Example

They decided to outgrow their old house and move to a bigger one.

We hope to outgrow our financial struggles and achieve stability.

He wants to outgrow his fear of public speaking.

She attempted to outgrow her shyness by joining a theater group.

They chose to outgrow their comfort zone and take on new challenges.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• imagine
• practice

Example

He avoids outgrowing his responsibilities by staying organized.

They consider outgrowing their current job and pursuing new opportunities.

Experts recommend gradually outgrowing dependence on technology.

Can you imagine yourself outgrowing your childhood fears?

She practices self-reflection as a means of outgrowing negative patterns.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He likes to outgrow his limitations. He likes outgrowing his limitations.

They started to outgrow their small apartment. They started outgrowing their small apartment.

She began to outgrow her childish behavior. She began outgrowing her childish behavior.