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To Term vs Terming Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To term (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to term this project a success.

Terming (Gerund)

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

Example

Terming it a mistake would be an understatement.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To term (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To term this as a failure would be unfair.

    To term this as a failure would be unfair.

    • "*To term* this as a failure" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (would be) + adjective phrase (unfair).
  • 2Object

    They expect us to term their work as exceptional.

    They expect us to term their work as exceptional.

    • "Us *to term* their work as exceptional" is the object of the verb "expect."
    • Noun (They) + verb (expect) + noun phrase (us *to term* their work as exceptional).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    He needs a term paper to submit tomorrow.

    He needs a term paper to submit tomorrow.

    • "*To submit* tomorrow" modifies the noun "term paper."
    • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a term paper *to submit* tomorrow).

Terming (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Terming him a genius is an exaggeration.

    Terming him a genius is an exaggeration.

    • "*Terming* him a genius" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an exaggeration).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy terming their work as outstanding.

    I enjoy terming their work as outstanding.

    • "*Terming* their work as outstanding" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*terming* their work as outstanding).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a talent for terming things correctly.

    She has a talent for terming things correctly.

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

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

Example

We decided to term it a success.

They agreed to term it as a failure.

She wants to term it differently.

He hopes to term it accurately.

We plan to term it appropriately.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He avoids terming it a failure.

They recommend terming it as a success.

I am considering terming it a victory.

Can you imagine terming it a disaster?

Let's discuss terming it differently.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to term it a masterpiece. She likes terming it a masterpiece.

We started to term it a success story. We started terming it a success story.

He began to term it a breakthrough. He began terming it a breakthrough.

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