When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To annoy (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to annoy" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I don't want to annoy anyone with my constant questions.
Annoying (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "annoying" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Annoying others is not a good way to make friends.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To annoy (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To annoy is his favorite pastime.
To annoy is his favorite pastime.
- "*To annoy*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his favorite pastime).
- 2Object
She asked me to annoy her sister.
She asked me to annoy her sister.
- "Me *to annoy* her sister" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to annoy* her sister).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a break to annoy his coworkers.
He needs a break to annoy his coworkers.
- "*To annoy* his coworkers" modifies the noun "break."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a break *to annoy* his coworkers).
Annoying (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Annoying people can ruin relationships.
Annoying people can ruin relationships.
- "*Annoying* people" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can ruin) + noun phrase (relationships).
- 2Object
I enjoy annoying my little sister.
I enjoy annoying my little sister.
- "*Annoying* my little sister" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*annoying* my little sister).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for annoying his colleagues.
He has a talent for annoying his colleagues.
- "For *annoying* his colleagues" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *annoying* his colleagues).
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
She plans to annoy her neighbor with loud music tonight.
They hope to annoy their teacher by being disruptive in class.
He wants to annoy his siblings by hiding their belongings.
We decided to annoy our boss by constantly asking for raises.
They agreed to annoy their parents by staying out late.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys annoying her classmates during recess.
They recommend avoiding annoying others with constant complaints.
I dislike the habit of annoying people with unnecessary noise.
He avoids annoying his coworkers by keeping his workspace tidy.
Can you imagine yourself annoying your friends with endless pranks?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to annoy her older brother. She likes annoying her older brother.
We started to annoy our teacher with silly jokes. We started annoying our teacher with silly jokes.
He began to annoy his classmates with constant interruptions. He began annoying his classmates with constant interruptions.
