When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To undercut (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to undercut" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to undercut the competition by offering lower prices.
Undercutting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "undercutting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Undercutting can lead to a price war among businesses.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To undercut (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To undercut is a common strategy in business.
To undercut is a common strategy in business.
- "*To undercut*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common strategy in business).
- 2Object
He wants me to undercut the prices of our competitors.
He wants me to undercut the prices of our competitors.
- "Me *to undercut* the prices of our competitors" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to undercut* the prices of our competitors).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a new marketing strategy to undercut our rivals.
We need a new marketing strategy to undercut our rivals.
- "*To undercut* our rivals" modifies the noun "strategy."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a new marketing strategy *to undercut* our rivals).
Undercutting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Undercutting is a risky strategy in the business world.
Undercutting is a risky strategy in the business world.
- "*Undercutting*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a risky strategy in the business world).
- 2Object
I enjoy undercutting the prices of my competitors.
I enjoy undercutting the prices of my competitors.
- "*Undercutting* the prices of my competitors" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*undercutting* the prices of my competitors).
- 3Object of Preposition
They have a talent for undercutting their rivals.
They have a talent for undercutting their rivals.
- "For *undercutting* their rivals" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a talent for *undercutting* their rivals).
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
They plan to undercut their competitors with a special promotion.
I hope to undercut the market price with my new product.
She wants to undercut the competition by offering better quality.
He decided to undercut the prices to attract more customers.
We agreed to undercut the current market rate.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys undercutting her competitors' prices.
Experts recommend avoiding aggressive undercutting in the market.
I dislike the idea of undercutting small businesses.
He avoids undercutting his own profit margins.
Can you imagine the impact of undercutting your main competitor's prices?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
Customers like to undercut the market price. Customers like undercutting the market price.
We started to undercut our competitors' prices. We started undercutting our competitors' prices.
He began to undercut other sellers on the online platform. He began undercutting other sellers on the online platform.
