Help center

To Bamboozle vs Bamboozling Infinitives & Gerunds

📝

Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To bamboozle (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to bamboozle the audience with my magic tricks.

Bamboozling (Gerund)

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

Example

Bamboozling people can be seen as unethical.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To bamboozle (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To bamboozle is his favorite pastime.

    To bamboozle is his favorite pastime.

    • "*To bamboozle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his favorite pastime).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to bamboozle her friends at the party.

    She wants me to bamboozle her friends at the party.

    • "Me *to bamboozle* her friends at the party" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to bamboozle* her friends at the party).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    He needs a top hat to bamboozle the audience.

    He needs a top hat to bamboozle the audience.

    • "*To bamboozle* the audience" modifies the noun "top hat."
    • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a top hat *to bamboozle* the audience).

Bamboozling (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Bamboozling others is not a fair practice.

    Bamboozling others is not a fair practice.

    • "*Bamboozling* others" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a fair practice).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy bamboozling my friends with mind-bending puzzles.

    I enjoy bamboozling my friends with mind-bending puzzles.

    • "*Bamboozling* my friends with mind-bending puzzles" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*bamboozling* my friends with mind-bending puzzles).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    He has a talent for bamboozling unsuspecting victims.

    He has a talent for bamboozling unsuspecting victims.

    • "For *bamboozling* unsuspecting victims" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *bamboozling* unsuspecting victims).

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

They plan to bamboozle the judges with their dance routine.

I hope to bamboozle everyone with my clever riddles.

She wants to bamboozle her opponents in the game.

We decided to bamboozle the audience with our surprise ending.

They agreed to bamboozle the guests with their illusion show.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys bamboozling people with her magic tricks.

Experts recommend avoiding bamboozling others for personal gain.

I dislike the act of bamboozling innocent individuals.

He avoids bamboozling his customers with false advertising.

Can you imagine yourself bamboozling a large crowd with your charisma?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

They like to bamboozle their audience for entertainment purposes. They like bamboozling their audience for entertainment purposes.

We started to bamboozle people with our card tricks. We started bamboozling people with our card tricks.

He began to bamboozle his friends with elaborate pranks. He began bamboozling his friends with elaborate pranks.

This content was generated with the assistance of AI technology based on RedKiwi's unique learning data. By utilizing automated AI content, we can quickly deliver a wide range of highly accurate content to users. Experience the benefits of AI by having your questions answered and receiving reliable information!