When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To outplay (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to outplay" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to outplay my opponent in the game.
Outplaying (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "outplaying" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Outplaying your opponents requires skill and strategy.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To outplay (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To outplay is the goal of every athlete.
To outplay is the goal of every athlete.
- "*To outplay*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the goal of every athlete).
- 2Object
He wants me to outplay him in chess.
He wants me to outplay him in chess.
- "Me *to outplay* him in chess" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to outplay* him in chess).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a strategy to outplay our opponents.
We need a strategy to outplay our opponents.
- "*To outplay* our opponents" modifies the noun "strategy."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to outplay* our opponents).
Outplaying (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Outplaying your opponents is a key to success.
Outplaying your opponents is a key to success.
- "*Outplaying* your opponents" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a key to success).
- 2Object
She enjoys outplaying her friends in board games.
She enjoys outplaying her friends in board games.
- "*Outplaying* her friends in board games" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*outplaying* her friends in board games).
- 3Object of Preposition
They are experts at outplaying their opponents.
They are experts at outplaying their opponents.
- "At *outplaying* their opponents" is the object of the preposition "at."
- Noun phrase (They) + verb (are) + noun phrase (experts at *outplaying* their opponents).
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
They plan to outplay their rivals in the upcoming match.
I hope to outplay my competitors in the tournament.
She wants to outplay the defending champion.
He decided to outplay his opponents with a new technique.
We agreed to outplay the other team by working together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys outplaying his opponents in tennis matches.
I recommend outplaying your opponents mentally as well as physically.
She dislikes the feeling of outplaying others for her own gain.
They avoid outplaying their teammates during practice sessions.
Can you imagine yourself outplaying professional players in a tournament?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I like to outplay my opponents in strategic games. I like outplaying my opponents in strategic games.
We started to outplay our rivals from the beginning. We started outplaying our rivals from the beginning.
He began to outplay his competitors with a new tactic. He began outplaying his competitors with a new tactic.
