To Outperform vs Outperforming 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 outperform (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to outperform my competitors in the business industry.

Outperforming (Gerund)

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

Example

Outperforming others gives him a sense of accomplishment.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To outperform (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To outperform is his main goal in this project.

  To outperform is his main goal in this project.

  • "*To outperform*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his main goal in this project).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to outperform everyone else.

  She wants me to outperform everyone else.

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

  I need a strategy to outperform the competition.

  I need a strategy to outperform the competition.

  • "*To outperform* the competition" modifies the noun "strategy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to outperform* the competition).

Outperforming (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Outperforming others requires hard work and dedication.

  Outperforming others requires hard work and dedication.

  • "*Outperforming* others" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (hard work and dedication).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy outperforming my competitors in sales.

  I enjoy outperforming my competitors in sales.

  • "*Outperforming* my competitors in sales" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*outperforming* my competitors in sales).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a knack for outperforming his peers.

  He has a knack for outperforming his peers.

  • "For *outperforming* his peers" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *outperforming* his peers).

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
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

He plans to outperform his previous record.

They hope to outperform their sales targets this year.

We want to outperform our competitors in the market.

She decided to outperform her colleagues in the presentation.

They agreed to outperform their own expectations.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys outperforming others in sports competitions.

They recommend outperforming your own expectations for personal growth.

I dislike the idea of outperforming others at the expense of teamwork.

He avoids outperforming his teammates to maintain harmony.

Can you imagine yourself outperforming industry leaders in your field?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to outperform her colleagues. She likes outperforming her colleagues.

We started to outperform our previous achievements. We started outperforming our previous achievements.

He began to outperform his competitors. He began outperforming his competitors.