To Skyline vs Skylining 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 skyline (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to skyline from that tall building.

Skylining (Gerund)

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

Example

Skylining requires a lot of balance and concentration.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To skyline (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To skyline is an exciting activity for thrill-seekers.

  To skyline is an exciting activity for thrill-seekers.

  • "*To skyline*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an exciting activity for thrill-seekers).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to skyline with her.

  She wants me to skyline with her.

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

  I need a sturdy harness to skyline safely.

  I need a sturdy harness to skyline safely.

  • "*To skyline* safely" modifies the noun "harness."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a sturdy harness *to skyline* safely).

Skylining (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Skylining is a popular extreme sport.

  Skylining is a popular extreme sport.

  • "*Skylining*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a popular extreme sport).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy skylining in different locations around the world.

  I enjoy skylining in different locations around the world.

  • "*Skylining* in different locations around the world" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*skylining* in different locations around the world).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a fear of skylining.

  He has a fear of skylining.

  • "Of *skylining*" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *skylining*).

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 skyline in the mountains next weekend.

I hope to skyline across the city skyline one day.

He wants to skyline at sunset for a breathtaking view.

We decided to skyline during our vacation in the city.

They agreed to skyline together as a team-building activity.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys skylining across canyons and valleys.

Experts recommend proper training before attempting skylining.

I dislike the idea of skylining without safety equipment.

They avoid skylining in bad weather conditions.

Can you imagine yourself skylining between skyscrapers?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He likes to skyline at sunrise. He likes skylining at sunrise.

We started to skyline as a hobby. We started skylining as a hobby.

She began to skyline after watching a documentary. She began skylining after watching a documentary.