To Outstand vs Outstanding 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 outstand (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to outstand in the competition to get noticed by talent scouts.

Outstanding (Gerund)

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

Example

Outstanding performance will always be rewarded.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To outstand (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To outstand is my ultimate goal in this project.

  To outstand is my ultimate goal in this project.

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

  He wants me to outstand the other candidates.

  He wants me to outstand the other candidates.

  • "Me *to outstand* the other candidates" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to outstand* the other candidates).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  She needs a unique idea to outstand the competition.

  She needs a unique idea to outstand the competition.

  • "*To outstand* the competition" modifies the noun "idea."
  • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a unique idea *to outstand* the competition).

Outstanding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Outstanding is what she always strives for in her work.

  Outstanding is what she always strives for in her work.

  • "*Outstanding*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (what she always strives for in her work).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy his outstanding achievements in the field of science.

  I enjoy his outstanding achievements in the field of science.

  • "His *outstanding* achievements in the field of science" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (his *outstanding* achievements in the field of science).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a passion for outstanding performances.

  They have a passion for outstanding performances.

  • "For *outstanding* performances" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a passion for *outstanding* performances).

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
• choose

Example

They plan to outstand their competitors with a new marketing strategy.

I hope to outstand in my performance and get promoted.

We want to outstand in our presentation to impress the clients.

She decided to outstand in her academic performance this semester.

He chose to outstand by showcasing his unique skills.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys outstanding music performances at the concert.

I highly recommend his outstanding book for avid readers.

They consider him for the award due to his outstanding contributions.

He avoids mediocre performances and strives for outstanding ones.

Can you imagine the feeling of receiving an outstanding achievement award?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to outstand in every project they undertake. They like outstanding in every project they undertake.

We started to outstand from the beginning of our careers. We started outstanding from the beginning of our careers.

He began to outstand in his field of expertise. He began outstanding in his field of expertise.