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 entire distance in one jump.

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 multiple genres, this book appeals to a wide audience.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To span (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To span the bridge is a remarkable feat of engineering.

  To span the bridge is a remarkable feat of engineering.

  • "*To span* the bridge" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a remarkable feat of engineering).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to span the river with a bridge.

  He wants me to span the river with a bridge.

  • "Me *to span* the river with a bridge" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to span* the river with a bridge).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a ladder to span the gap between the buildings.

  We need a ladder to span the gap between the buildings.

  • "*To span* the gap between the buildings" modifies the noun "ladder."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a ladder *to span* the gap between the buildings).

Spanning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Spanning several decades, the movie tells an epic story.

  Spanning several decades, the movie tells an epic story.

  • "*Spanning* several decades" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (tells) + noun phrase (an epic story).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy spanning my interests across different fields.

  I enjoy spanning my interests across different fields.

  • "*Spanning* my interests across different fields" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*spanning* my interests across different fields).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for spanning cultures through her art.

  She has a passion for spanning cultures through her art.

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

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 span the canyon on her next hiking trip.

They hope to span the river with a new bridge.

He wants to span the entire valley with his artwork.

We decided to span the distance by building a long bridge.

They agreed to span the gap together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys spanning her creativity in various mediums.

They recommend spanning your knowledge across different subjects.

I dislike the idea of spanning my time between multiple projects.

He avoids spanning his attention too thinly.

Can you imagine spanning your career in different industries?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to span her artwork across different galleries. She likes spanning her artwork across different galleries.

We started to span our business globally. We started spanning our business globally.

He began to span his research across multiple disciplines. He began spanning his research across multiple disciplines.