To Underly vs Underlying 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 underly (Infinitive)

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

Example

The data underly the conclusion of the study.

Underlying (Gerund)

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

Example

Underlying factors should be taken into consideration.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To underly (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To underly is a crucial factor in understanding the problem.

  To underly is a crucial factor in understanding the problem.

  • "*To underly*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a crucial factor in understanding the problem).
• 2. Object

  They want us to underly their decision-making process.

  They want us to underly their decision-making process.

  • "Us *to underly* their decision-making process" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to underly* their decision-making process).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need accurate data to underly our analysis.

  We need accurate data to underly our analysis.

  • "*To underly* our analysis" modifies the noun "data."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (accurate data *to underly* our analysis).

Underlying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Underlying issues are causing the problem.

  Underlying issues are causing the problem.

  • "*Underlying* issues" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (are) + noun phrase (causing the problem).
• 2. Object

  I appreciate your understanding of the underlying principles.

  I appreciate your understanding of the underlying principles.

  • "Your understanding of the *underlying* principles" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
  • Noun (I) + verb (appreciate) + gerund (your understanding of the *underlying* principles).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a deep knowledge of the underlying mechanisms.

  She has a deep knowledge of the underlying mechanisms.

  • "Of the *underlying* mechanisms" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a deep knowledge of the *underlying* mechanisms).

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

She plans to underly the project with extensive research.

They hope to underly their arguments with solid evidence.

He wants to underly his statements with credible sources.

We decided to underly our proposal with thorough analysis.

They agreed to underly their findings with comprehensive data.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys underlying causes of complex issues.

They recommend studying the underlying factors for better understanding.

I dislike the idea of ignoring the underlying problems.

She avoids discussing the underlying issues.

Can you imagine the consequences of the underlying conflicts?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to underly their arguments with solid evidence. They like underlying their arguments with solid evidence.

We started to underly our research with comprehensive literature review. We started underlying our research with comprehensive literature review.

He began to underly his theory with empirical data. He began underlying his theory with empirical data.