When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To bother (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to bother" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I don't want to bother you, but can you help me with this?
Bothering (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "bothering" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Bothering others is not a polite behavior.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To bother (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To bother is the last thing I want to do.
To bother is the last thing I want to do.
- "*To bother*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the last thing I want to do).
- 2Object
He asked me to bother him again.
He asked me to bother him again.
- "Me *to bother* him again" is the object of the verb "asked."
- Noun (He) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to bother* him again).
- 3Adjective Modifier
She needs a quiet place to bother her studies.
She needs a quiet place to bother her studies.
- "*To bother* her studies" modifies the noun "place."
- Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a quiet place *to bother* her studies).
Bothering (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Bothering people is considered impolite.
Bothering people is considered impolite.
- "*Bothering* people" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (considered impolite).
- 2Object
He doesn't mind bothering his friends for favors.
He doesn't mind bothering his friends for favors.
- "*Bothering* his friends for favors" is the object of the verb "doesn't mind."
- Noun (He) + verb (doesn't mind) + gerund (*bothering* his friends for favors).
- 3Object of Preposition
She apologized for bothering him.
She apologized for bothering him.
- "For *bothering* him" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (apologized) + preposition (for) + gerund (*bothering* him).
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
I promise not to bother you anymore.
They refused to bother with the difficult task.
He attempted to bother her by calling repeatedly.
I wish not to bother you, but I need your help.
She pretended not to bother about the situation.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They enjoy bothering their siblings with pranks.
I recommend avoiding bothering others unnecessarily.
Do you mind me bothering you for a moment?
We should consider bothering them with our request.
He tries to avoid bothering his neighbors with loud music.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She doesn't like to bother anyone with her problems. She doesn't like bothering anyone with her problems.
He started to bother his colleagues with constant questions. He started bothering his colleagues with constant questions.
They began to bother their parents for permission. They began bothering their parents for permission.
