To Poise vs Poising 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 poise (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to poise myself before making a decision.

Poising (Gerund)

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

Example

Poising the body helps improve posture and stability.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To poise (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To poise is essential in maintaining balance.

  To poise is essential in maintaining balance.

  • "*To poise*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential in maintaining balance).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to poise the scales evenly.

  She wants me to poise the scales evenly.

  • "Me *to poise* the scales evenly" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to poise* the scales evenly).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a stable surface to poise the vase.

  I need a stable surface to poise the vase.

  • "*To poise* the vase" modifies the noun "surface."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a stable surface *to poise* the vase).

Poising (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Poising the body requires practice.

  Poising the body requires practice.

  • "*Poising* the body" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (practice).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy poising myself on a tightrope.

  I enjoy poising myself on a tightrope.

  • "*Poising* myself on a tightrope" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*poising* myself on a tightrope).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for poising objects on her fingertips.

  She has a talent for poising objects on her fingertips.

  • "For *poising* objects on her fingertips" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *poising* objects on her fingertips).

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

She plans to poise herself before answering the question.

They hope to poise their thoughts before the meeting.

He wants to poise himself before delivering the speech.

We decided to poise the options before making a choice.

They agreed to poise themselves before taking action.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys poising herself in yoga poses.

They recommend regular poising exercises for better balance.

I dislike the idea of poising on a tightrope.

He avoids poising heavy objects on unstable surfaces.

Can you imagine yourself poising on a balance beam?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to poise herself before making important decisions. She likes poising herself before making important decisions.

We started to poise our bodies in ballet class. We started poising our bodies in ballet class.

He began to poise himself on one foot. He began poising himself on one foot.