To Comfort vs Comforting 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 comfort (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to comfort my friend who is feeling sad.

Comforting (Gerund)

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

Example

Comforting others brings me joy.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To comfort (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To comfort someone in need is a compassionate act.

  To comfort someone in need is a compassionate act.

  • "*To comfort* someone in need" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a compassionate act).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to comfort her during difficult times.

  She wants me to comfort her during difficult times.

  • "Me *to comfort* her during difficult times" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to comfort* her during difficult times).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a soft pillow to comfort my neck.

  I need a soft pillow to comfort my neck.

  • "*To comfort* my neck" modifies the noun "pillow."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a soft pillow *to comfort* my neck).

Comforting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Comforting those in need is a noble deed.

  Comforting those in need is a noble deed.

  • "*Comforting* those in need" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a noble deed).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy comforting people with kind words.

  I enjoy comforting people with kind words.

  • "*Comforting* people with kind words" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*comforting* people with kind words).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for comforting others.

  She has a talent for comforting others.

  • "For *comforting* others" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *comforting* others).

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

• offer
• promise
• decide
• attempt
• struggle

Example

He offered to comfort her with a warm hug.

They promised to comfort each other through tough times.

We decided to comfort our grieving neighbor with a home-cooked meal.

She attempted to comfort her crying baby by singing a lullaby.

They struggled to comfort their anxious friend before the big presentation.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• mind
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys comforting her friends when they're feeling down.

They recommend comforting activities like reading or listening to music for stress relief.

I don't mind comforting my younger siblings when they have nightmares.

He avoids comforting strangers in distress due to safety concerns.

Can you imagine yourself comforting someone who is grieving?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to comfort others in times of need. She likes comforting others in times of need.

We started to comfort each other after a long day. We started comforting each other after a long day.

He began to comfort his sister when she was upset. He began comforting his sister when she was upset.