To Prototype vs Prototyping 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 prototype (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to prototype this new feature to see how it works.

Prototyping (Gerund)

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

Example

Prototyping allows for quick iterations and improvements.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To prototype (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To prototype is an important step in the product development process.

  To prototype is an important step in the product development process.

  • "*To prototype*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in the product development process).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to prototype the design for her.

  She wants me to prototype the design for her.

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

  We need a 3D printer to prototype our ideas.

  We need a 3D printer to prototype our ideas.

  • "*To prototype* our ideas" modifies the noun "printer."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a 3D printer *to prototype* our ideas).

Prototyping (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Prototyping is essential in the design process.

  Prototyping is essential in the design process.

  • "*Prototyping*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential in the design process).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy prototyping new ideas.

  I enjoy prototyping new ideas.

  • "*Prototyping* new ideas" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*prototyping* new ideas).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for prototyping innovative products.

  She has a talent for prototyping innovative products.

  • "For *prototyping* innovative products" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *prototyping* innovative products).

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

They plan to prototype the new product next month.

I hope to prototype my invention soon.

He wants to prototype the app before launching it.

We decided to prototype the new website layout.

They agreed to prototype the software together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy prototyping different concepts.

Experts recommend iterative prototyping for better results.

I dislike the process of prototyping.

He avoids unnecessary prototyping.

Can you imagine yourself prototyping new inventions?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to prototype her ideas before presenting them. She likes prototyping her ideas before presenting them.

We started to prototype early in the development phase. We started prototyping early in the development phase.

He began to prototype the product last week. He began prototyping the product last week.