To Backfire vs Backfiring 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 backfire (Infinitive)

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

Example

His plan to backfire on him and caused more harm than good.

Backfiring (Gerund)

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

Example

Backfiring can have serious consequences.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To backfire (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To backfire would be a disaster in this situation.

  To backfire would be a disaster in this situation.

  • "*To backfire*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (would be) + noun phrase (a disaster in this situation).
• 2. Object

  I don't want my actions to backfire on me.

  I don't want my actions to backfire on me.

  • "My actions *to backfire* on me" is the object of the verb "don't want."
  • Noun (I) + verb (don't want) + noun phrase (my actions *to backfire* on me).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a backup plan to backfire situations.

  He needs a backup plan to backfire situations.

  • "*To backfire* situations" modifies the noun "backup plan."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a backup plan *to backfire* situations).

Backfiring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Backfiring is a common occurrence in such situations.

  Backfiring is a common occurrence in such situations.

  • "*Backfiring*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common occurrence in such situations).
• 2. Object

  I regret backfiring during the negotiation process.

  I regret backfiring during the negotiation process.

  • "*Backfiring* during the negotiation process" is the object of the verb "regret."
  • Noun (I) + verb (regret) + gerund (*backfiring* during the negotiation process).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They discussed the risks of backfiring their marketing campaign.

  They discussed the risks of backfiring their marketing campaign.

  • "Of *backfiring* their marketing campaign" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (discussed) + noun phrase (the risks of *backfiring* their marketing campaign).

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 planned to backfire on her opponents with a surprise attack.

They hoped to backfire on their rivals by revealing their secret strategy.

He wanted his revenge to backfire on his enemies.

We decided to backfire on our competitors by undercutting their prices.

They agreed to backfire on the project if it didn't meet their expectations.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• mind
• postpone
• imagine

Example

He avoids backfiring in high-pressure situations.

They considered the potential consequences of backfiring before taking action.

I don't mind backfiring if it leads to valuable lessons.

We decided to postpone the decision to prevent backfiring.

Can you imagine the impact of backfiring on our reputation?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She doesn't like to backfire on her teammates. She doesn't like backfiring on her teammates.

They started to backfire when they ignored the warning signs. They started backfiring when they ignored the warning signs.

He began to backfire after making a series of poor decisions. He began backfiring after making a series of poor decisions.