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 the river is a challenging engineering task.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To span (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To span the bridge is an impressive feat.

  To span the bridge is an impressive feat.

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

  She wants me to span the gap between the buildings.

  She wants me to span the gap between the buildings.

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

  I need a ladder to span the height of the wall.

  I need a ladder to span the height of the wall.

  • "*To span* the height of the wall" modifies the noun "ladder."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a ladder *to span* the height of the wall).

Spanning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Spanning rivers with bridges has been a practice for centuries.

  Spanning rivers with bridges has been a practice for centuries.

  • "*Spanning* rivers with bridges" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (has been) + noun phrase (a practice for centuries).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy spanning the entire field with my soccer passes.

  I enjoy spanning the entire field with my soccer passes.

  • "*Spanning* the entire field" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*spanning* the entire field).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for spanning different genres of music.

  She has a passion for spanning different genres of music.

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

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 river using a suspension bridge.

They hope to span the entire valley with their project.

He wants to span the gap between the two cliffs.

We decided to span the distance on foot instead of taking a bus.

They agreed to span the length of the marathon together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys spanning her paintings across multiple canvases.

They recommend spanning your resume to highlight your diverse skills.

I dislike the idea of spanning my attention across multiple tasks.

He avoids spanning his time between too many projects.

Can you imagine spanning the entire city with a single bridge?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to span long distances with her running. She likes spanning long distances with her running.

We started to span the river using a makeshift bridge. We started spanning the river using a makeshift bridge.

He began to span the gap between the two buildings with a tightrope. He began spanning the gap between the two buildings with a tightrope.