To Span vs Spanning 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 span (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to span the gap between different cultures.

Spanning (Gerund)

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

Example

Spanning different industries requires adaptability.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To span (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To span is a challenging task.

  To span is a challenging task.

  • "*To span*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a challenging task).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to span the distance between two cities.

  She wants me to span the distance between two cities.

  • "Me *to span* the distance between two cities" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to span* the distance between two cities).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a bridge to span the river.

  We need a bridge to span the river.

  • "*To span* the river" modifies the noun "bridge."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a bridge *to span* the river).

Spanning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Spanning multiple roles can be challenging.

  Spanning multiple roles can be challenging.

  • "*Spanning* multiple roles" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (challenging).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy spanning various disciplines in my work.

  I enjoy spanning various disciplines in my work.

  • "*Spanning* various disciplines in my work" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*spanning* various disciplines in my work).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for spanning different cultures.

  She has a passion for spanning different cultures.

  • "For *spanning* different cultures" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *spanning* different cultures).

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 span the project over six months.

I hope to span the language barrier in my travels.

He wants to span the generation gap with his children.

We decided to span the divide between the two communities.

They agreed to span the cultural differences for the sake of peace.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys spanning continents during his travels.

They recommend spanning your experience across various industries.

I am considering spanning my career into different fields.

She avoids spanning her attention too thin.

Can you imagine spanning the globe in one year?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to span my knowledge across different subjects. I like spanning my knowledge across different subjects.

He started to span his influence to other countries. He started spanning his influence to other countries.

We began to span our network to international markets. We began spanning our network to international markets.