To Belabor vs Belaboring 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 belabor (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to belabor the point, but it's important to understand.

Belaboring (Gerund)

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

Example

Belaboring the point will only lead to confusion.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To belabor (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To belabor is unnecessary in this situation.

  To belabor is unnecessary in this situation.

  • "*To belabor*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (unnecessary).
• 2. Object

  She asked him to belabor the issue further.

  She asked him to belabor the issue further.

  • "Him *to belabor* the issue further" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to belabor* the issue further).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  They need more evidence to belabor their argument.

  They need more evidence to belabor their argument.

  • "*To belabor* their argument" modifies the noun "evidence."
  • Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (more evidence *to belabor* their argument).

Belaboring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Belaboring the topic won't change the outcome.

  Belaboring the topic won't change the outcome.

  • "*Belaboring* the topic" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (won't change) + noun phrase (the outcome).
• 2. Object

  He doesn't mind belaboring the issue for clarity.

  He doesn't mind belaboring the issue for clarity.

  • "*Belaboring* the issue for clarity" is the object of the verb "doesn't mind."
  • Noun (He) + verb (doesn't mind) + gerund (*belaboring* the issue for clarity).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are tired of belaboring the same point.

  They are tired of belaboring the same point.

  • "*Belaboring* the same point" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are tired of) + gerund (*belaboring* the same point).

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

• refuse
• attempt
• determine
• wish
• pretend

Example

He refused to belabor the point any longer.

They attempted to belabor their position during the debate.

We need to determine whether to belabor this issue or not.

I wish to belabor the importance of this matter.

She pretended to belabor the details of the story.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• resist
• understand

Example

She avoids belaboring minor details in her presentations.

They are considering belaboring the issue at the next meeting.

I recommend belaboring your main points to ensure understanding.

He resisted belaboring the negative aspects of the situation.

We understand the need for belaboring certain topics.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I like to belabor the details of a project. I like belaboring the details of a project.

They began to belabor the issue from different angles. They began belaboring the issue from different angles.

She continued to belabor the point despite opposition. She continued belaboring the point despite opposition.