To Agonize vs Agonizing 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 agonize (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to agonize over things I cannot control.

Agonizing (Gerund)

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

Example

Agonizing over the past will not change it.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To agonize (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To agonize is not productive.

  To agonize is not productive.

  • "*To agonize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (not productive).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to agonize about my decision.

  She wants me to agonize about my decision.

  • "Me *to agonize* about my decision" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to agonize* about my decision).
• 3. Adverb Modifier

  He tends to agonize excessively over small details.

  He tends to agonize excessively over small details.

  • "*To agonize* excessively" modifies the verb "tends."
  • Noun (He) + verb (tends) + infinitive phrase (to agonize) + adverb (excessively).

Agonizing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Agonizing can lead to unnecessary stress.

  Agonizing can lead to unnecessary stress.

  • "*Agonizing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead to) + noun phrase (unnecessary stress).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy agonizing over challenging puzzles.

  I enjoy agonizing over challenging puzzles.

  • "*Agonizing* over challenging puzzles" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*agonizing* over challenging puzzles).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of agonizing about the future.

  She has a fear of agonizing about the future.

  • "Of *agonizing* about the future" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *agonizing* about the future).

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

• decide
• attempt
• struggle
• refuse
• hope

Example

They decided to agonize over the options for hours.

She attempted to agonize less and enjoy life more.

He struggles to agonize over the right decision.

We refuse to agonize about what others think.

I hope to agonize less in the future.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• delay
• deny

Example

He avoids agonizing over past mistakes.

They considered agonizing as a waste of time.

Experts recommend not agonizing over every decision.

I delayed agonizing about the problem until tomorrow.

She denies agonizing about her appearance.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I like to agonize over philosophical questions. I like agonizing over philosophical questions.

They began to agonize about their future. They began agonizing about their future.

He continues to agonize over his mistakes. He continues agonizing over his mistakes.