To Sideline vs Sidelining 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 sideline (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to sideline him in the upcoming game.

Sidelining (Gerund)

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

Example

Sidelining players can have a negative impact on team dynamics.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To sideline (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To sideline players is a common strategy in sports.

  To sideline players is a common strategy in sports.

  • "*To sideline* players" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common strategy in sports).
• 2. Object

  The coach wants me to sideline the star player.

  The coach wants me to sideline the star player.

  • "Me *to sideline* the star player" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (The coach) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to sideline* the star player).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a backup player to sideline injured players.

  We need a backup player to sideline injured players.

  • "*To sideline* injured players" modifies the noun "backup player."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a backup player *to sideline* injured players).

Sidelining (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Sidelining players requires careful consideration by the coach.

  Sidelining players requires careful consideration by the coach.

  • "*Sidelining* players" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful consideration by the coach).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy sidelining the opposing team's best players.

  I enjoy sidelining the opposing team's best players.

  • "*Sidelining* the opposing team's best players" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*sidelining* the opposing team's best players).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  The coach focuses on the importance of sidelining egos.

  The coach focuses on the importance of sidelining egos.

  • "The importance of *sidelining* egos" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (The coach) + verb (focuses) + noun phrase (the importance of *sidelining* egos).

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

The team plans to sideline their opponents' key players.

He hopes to sideline his rival in the match.

She wants to sideline the top scorer of the opposing team.

They decided to sideline their star player due to his injury.

The coaches agreed to sideline the underperforming players.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys sidelining players during crucial moments.

Experts recommend sidelining disruptive players for team harmony.

She dislikes the act of sidelining talented players.

They try to avoid sidelining young players too early.

Can you imagine sidelining your own teammates?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He likes to sideline opposing team's key players. He likes sidelining opposing team's key players.

We started to sideline disruptive players. We started sidelining disruptive players.

She began to sideline underperforming players. She began sidelining underperforming players.