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To Blame vs Blaming Infinitives & Gerunds

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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 blame (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to blame anyone for the mistake.

Blaming (Gerund)

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

Example

Blaming others won't solve the issue.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To blame (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To blame is not a solution to the problem.

    To blame is not a solution to the problem.

    • "*To blame*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a solution to the problem).
  • 2Object

    She expects me to blame her for the failure.

    She expects me to blame her for the failure.

    • "Me *to blame* her for the failure" is the object of the verb "expects."
    • Noun (She) + verb (expects) + noun phrase (me *to blame* her for the failure).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    We need someone to blame for the accident.

    We need someone to blame for the accident.

    • "*To blame* for the accident" modifies the noun "someone."
    • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (someone *to blame* for the accident).

Blaming (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Blaming is not productive in this situation.

    Blaming is not productive in this situation.

    • "*Blaming*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not productive in this situation).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy blaming myself for every mistake.

    I enjoy blaming myself for every mistake.

    • "*Blaming* myself for every mistake" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*blaming* myself for every mistake).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    He has a habit of blaming others for his failures.

    He has a habit of blaming others for his failures.

    • "Of *blaming* others for his failures" is the object of the preposition "of."
    • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *blaming* others for his failures).

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

He refused to blame his team for the loss.

They pretend to blame each other for the mistake.

She chose to blame herself for the problem.

I wish to blame someone else for the misunderstanding.

We attempted to blame the weather for the delay.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She avoids blaming her teammates for their errors.

They recommend blaming the system for the issues.

Do you mind blaming yourself for the mistake?

He considers blaming others as a sign of weakness.

I couldn't resist blaming him for the accident.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

I don't like to blame others for my failures. I don't like blaming others for my failures.

They started to blame each other for the problem. They started blaming each other for the problem.

We began to blame ourselves for the mistake. We began blaming ourselves for the mistake.

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