To Upend vs Upending 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 upend (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to upend the traditional approach and try something new.

Upending (Gerund)

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

Example

Upending the established order requires courage and determination.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To upend (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To upend is a bold move in any industry.

  To upend is a bold move in any industry.

  • "*To upend*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a bold move in any industry).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to upend the current system.

  She wants me to upend the current system.

  • "Me *to upend* the current system" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to upend* the current system).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a fresh perspective to upend the status quo.

  I need a fresh perspective to upend the status quo.

  • "*To upend* the status quo" modifies the noun "perspective."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a fresh perspective *to upend* the status quo).

Upending (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Upending old traditions can lead to progress.

  Upending old traditions can lead to progress.

  • "*Upending* old traditions" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead to) + noun phrase (progress).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy upending expectations and challenging the status quo.

  I enjoy upending expectations and challenging the status quo.

  • "*Upending* expectations and challenging the status quo" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*upending* expectations and challenging the status quo).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a knack for upending established norms.

  She has a knack for upending established norms.

  • "For *upending* established norms" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *upending* established norms).

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 upend the market with her innovative product.

They hope to upend the traditional hierarchy in their organization.

He wants to upend the existing norms and challenge the system.

We decided to upend our approach and take a different direction.

They agreed to upend the conventional wisdom and explore new possibilities.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

She enjoys upending traditional thinking and pushing boundaries.

They recommend upending outdated practices for greater efficiency.

He avoids upending established procedures without careful consideration.

Can you imagine the impact of upending long-standing traditions?

It's worth considering upending the usual methods to achieve better results.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to upend the status quo. She likes upending the status quo.

We started to upend traditional practices. We started upending traditional practices.

He began to upend the established order. He began upending the established order.