To Surpass vs Surpassing 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 surpass (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to surpass my previous record in the next race.

Surpassing (Gerund)

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

Example

Surpassing expectations is always a great feeling.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To surpass (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To surpass is his ultimate goal.

  To surpass is his ultimate goal.

  • "*To surpass*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his ultimate goal).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to surpass her achievements.

  She wants me to surpass her achievements.

  • "Me *to surpass* her achievements" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to surpass* her achievements).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a strategy to surpass my competitors.

  I need a strategy to surpass my competitors.

  • "*To surpass* my competitors" modifies the noun "strategy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to surpass* my competitors).

Surpassing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Surpassing others is not his primary goal.

  Surpassing others is not his primary goal.

  • "*Surpassing* others" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not his primary goal).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy surpassing my own records.

  I enjoy surpassing my own records.

  • "*Surpassing* my own records" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*surpassing* my own records).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for surpassing expectations.

  She has a talent for surpassing expectations.

  • "For *surpassing* expectations" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *surpassing* expectations).

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

He plans to surpass his personal best in the upcoming tournament.

They hope to surpass their own expectations this year.

She wants to surpass her rivals in the competition.

We decided to surpass our previous achievements.

They agreed to surpass their limits and reach new heights.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys surpassing his competitors in every challenge.

They recommend constantly surpassing your own limits.

I dislike the feeling of not surpassing my previous achievements.

She avoids surpassing others by focusing on her own progress.

Can you imagine yourself surpassing all expectations?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to surpass my own goals. I like surpassing my own goals.

They started to surpass their competitors. They started surpassing their competitors.

He began to surpass all expectations. He began surpassing all expectations.