To Surge vs Surging 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 surge (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to surge ahead in my career.

Surging (Gerund)

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

Example

Surging demand has led to increased production.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To surge (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To surge is a common occurrence during thunderstorms.

  To surge is a common occurrence during thunderstorms.

  • "*To surge*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common occurrence during thunderstorms).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to surge in the rankings.

  She wants me to surge in the rankings.

  • "Me *to surge* in the rankings" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to surge* in the rankings).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a power source to surge electricity.

  I need a power source to surge electricity.

  • "*To surge* electricity" modifies the noun "power source."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a power source *to surge* electricity).

Surging (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Surging sales have boosted the company's profits.

  Surging sales have boosted the company's profits.

  • "*Surging* sales" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (have) + noun phrase (boosted the company's profits).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy surging through the waves on my surfboard.

  I enjoy surging through the waves on my surfboard.

  • "*Surging* through the waves on my surfboard" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*surging* through the waves on my surfboard).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for surging ahead in her career.

  She has a passion for surging ahead in her career.

  • "For *surging* ahead in her career" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *surging* ahead in her career).

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 surge forward in their business venture.

He hopes to surge to victory in the upcoming competition.

We want to surge ahead in our studies.

She decided to surge into the lead during the race.

They agreed to surge their efforts for a better outcome.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• resist

Example

He enjoys surging down the slopes while skiing.

They recommend surging demand for the new product.

She avoids surging into arguments with her colleagues.

Can you imagine yourself surging past the finish line?

I couldn't resist surging with excitement when I heard the news.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to surge forward in my career. I like surging forward in my career.

They started to surge ahead in the market. They started surging ahead in the market.

He began to surge towards his goals. He began surging towards his goals.