When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To complain (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to complain" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to complain about the poor service.
Complaining (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "complaining" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Complaining won't solve the problem.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To complain (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To complain is not productive in this situation.
To complain is not productive in this situation.
- "*To complain*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (not productive).
- 2Object
She wants me to complain to the manager.
She wants me to complain to the manager.
- "Me *to complain* to the manager" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to complain* to the manager).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a solution to complain about the noise.
I need a solution to complain about the noise.
- "*To complain* about the noise" modifies the noun "solution."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a solution *to complain* about the noise).
Complaining (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Complaining is not a good habit.
Complaining is not a good habit.
- "*Complaining*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a good habit).
- 2Object
I enjoy complaining about bad movies.
I enjoy complaining about bad movies.
- "*Complaining* about bad movies" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*complaining* about bad movies).
- 3Object of Preposition
He apologized for complaining too much.
He apologized for complaining too much.
- "For *complaining* too much" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (apologized) + preposition (for) + gerund (*complaining* too much).
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 plans to complain to the company's customer service department.
They hope to complain about the late delivery.
She wants to complain about the incorrect billing.
We decided to complain to the supervisor.
They agreed to complain about the unsatisfactory product.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She avoids complaining about trivial matters.
They recommend complaining directly to the manager.
I don't mind complaining if it leads to improvement.
He postponed complaining until he had more evidence.
We are considering complaining to the authorities.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
They like to complain about their neighbors. They like complaining about their neighbors.
She started to complain as soon as she arrived. She started complaining as soon as she arrived.
He began to complain about the unfair treatment. He began complaining about the unfair treatment.
