To Supersede vs Superseding 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 supersede (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to supersede the outdated system with a more efficient one.

Superseding (Gerund)

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

Example

Superseding the old system was a challenging task.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To supersede (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To supersede is our primary objective.

  To supersede is our primary objective.

  • "*To supersede*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (our primary objective).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to supersede the old technology.

  She wants me to supersede the old technology.

  • "Me *to supersede* the old technology" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to supersede* the old technology).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a solution to supersede the current process.

  We need a solution to supersede the current process.

  • "*To supersede* the current process" modifies the noun "solution."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a solution *to supersede* the current process).

Superseding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Superseding outdated technologies is necessary for progress.

  Superseding outdated technologies is necessary for progress.

  • "*Superseding* outdated technologies" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (necessary for progress).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy superseding outdated practices.

  I enjoy superseding outdated practices.

  • "*Superseding* outdated practices" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*superseding* outdated practices).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are committed to superseding the existing standards.

  They are committed to superseding the existing standards.

  • "Committed to *superseding* the existing standards" is the object of the preposition "to."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are) + noun phrase (committed to *superseding* the existing standards).

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 supersede the existing framework.

I hope to supersede my previous achievements.

He wants to supersede the competition.

We decided to supersede the outdated methods.

They agreed to supersede the traditional approach.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• delay
• deny

Example

Experts recommend superseding outdated technologies.

We should avoid superseding ethical boundaries.

I am considering superseding the current model.

They delayed superseding the legacy system.

He denied superseding the established protocol.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to supersede traditional methods. She likes superseding traditional methods.

We started to supersede outdated practices. We started superseding outdated practices.

He began to supersede the old system. He began superseding the old system.