When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To outswim (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to outswim" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to outswim my competitors in the race.
Outswimming (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "outswimming" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Outswimming requires great stamina and technique.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To outswim (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To outswim is his ultimate goal.
To outswim is his ultimate goal.
- "*To outswim*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his ultimate goal).
- 2Object
She wants me to outswim her in the pool.
She wants me to outswim her in the pool.
- "Me *to outswim* her in the pool" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to outswim* her in the pool).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a faster technique to outswim his opponents.
He needs a faster technique to outswim his opponents.
- "*To outswim* his opponents" modifies the noun "technique."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a faster technique *to outswim* his opponents).
Outswimming (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Outswimming is a challenging sport.
Outswimming is a challenging sport.
- "*Outswimming*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a challenging sport).
- 2Object
I enjoy outswimming my opponents in the pool.
I enjoy outswimming my opponents in the pool.
- "*Outswimming* my opponents in the pool" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*outswimming* my opponents in the pool).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for outswimming her competitors.
She has a passion for outswimming her competitors.
- "For *outswimming* her competitors" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *outswimming* her competitors).
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 outswim their rivals in the upcoming competition.
I hope to outswim everyone else in the race.
She wants to outswim her personal best time.
We decided to outswim our previous records.
They agreed to outswim each other to win the gold medal.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys outswimming in open water.
They recommend regular outswimming for improved endurance.
I dislike the feeling of outswimming against the current.
She avoids outswimming in rough conditions.
Can you imagine yourself outswimming professional swimmers?
