To Complicate vs Complicating 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 complicate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to complicate the situation further.

Complicating (Gerund)

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

Example

Complicating matters, the company faced a financial crisis.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To complicate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To complicate matters, there was a sudden power outage.

  To complicate matters, there was a sudden power outage.

  • "*To complicate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (a sudden power outage).
• 2. Object

  She asked him to complicate things for her.

  She asked him to complicate things for her.

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

  We need a clear plan to complicate the project.

  We need a clear plan to complicate the project.

  • "*To complicate* the project" modifies the noun "plan."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a clear plan *to complicate* the project).

Complicating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Complicating the situation was the lack of communication.

  Complicating the situation was the lack of communication.

  • "*Complicating* the situation" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (the lack of communication).
• 2. Object

  I don't mind complicating things for myself.

  I don't mind complicating things for myself.

  • "*Complicating* things" is the object of the verb "don't mind."
  • Noun (I) + verb (don't mind) + gerund (*complicating* things).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for complicating simple tasks.

  She has a talent for complicating simple tasks.

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

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

• plan
• refuse
• attempt
• struggle
• choose

Example

They plan to complicate the process by introducing new requirements.

He refused to complicate the negotiations with unnecessary demands.

She attempted to complicate the experiment by adding more variables.

We struggled to complicate the task by overthinking it.

They chose to complicate the situation by involving too many people.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• postpone
• understand

Example

They avoid complicating matters by keeping the process simple.

I am considering complicating the design to add more features.

Experts recommend avoiding complicating the process unnecessarily.

We decided to postpone complicating the decision until we have more information.

I understand the risks of complicating the situation further.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She would like to complicate the project with additional tasks. She would like complicating the project with additional tasks.

We began to complicate matters by introducing new rules. We began complicating matters by introducing new rules.

He continues to complicate things with his indecisiveness. He continues complicating things with his indecisiveness.