To Aggravate vs Aggravating 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 aggravate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to aggravate the situation by adding fuel to the fire.

Aggravating (Gerund)

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

Example

Aggravating the situation will only make matters worse.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To aggravate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To aggravate is not a wise decision in this case.

  To aggravate is not a wise decision in this case.

  • "*To aggravate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a wise decision in this case).
• 2. Object

  She doesn't want me to aggravate the situation.

  She doesn't want me to aggravate the situation.

  • "Me *to aggravate* the situation" is the object of the verb "doesn't want."
  • Noun (She) + verb (doesn't want) + noun phrase (me *to aggravate* the situation).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a solution to aggravate the problem.

  I need a solution to aggravate the problem.

  • "*To aggravate* the problem" modifies the noun "solution."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a solution *to aggravate* the problem).

Aggravating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Aggravating the situation is not recommended.

  Aggravating the situation is not recommended.

  • "*Aggravating* the situation" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not recommended).
• 2. Object

  I can't stand aggravating others with my behavior.

  I can't stand aggravating others with my behavior.

  • "*Aggravating* others with my behavior" is the object of the verb "can't stand."
  • Noun (I) + verb (can't stand) + gerund (*aggravating* others with my behavior).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for aggravating people.

  She has a talent for aggravating people.

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

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
• refuse
• want
• decide
• attempt

Example

She plans to aggravate the situation further.

They refuse to aggravate the matter anymore.

He wants to aggravate the conflict for his own benefit.

We decided to aggravate the issue by speaking up.

They attempted to aggravate the problem by ignoring it.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• delay
• imagine

Example

She avoids aggravating conflicts whenever possible.

They are considering aggravating the situation for their own gain.

I recommend avoiding aggravating comments during the discussion.

He delayed aggravating the issue until a later time.

Can you imagine aggravating your already upset boss?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to aggravate the problem even more. I would like aggravating the problem even more.

She started to aggravate the situation by raising her voice. She started aggravating the situation by raising her voice.

They began to aggravate the conflict with their aggressive actions. They began aggravating the conflict with their aggressive actions.