To Criticize vs Criticizing 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 criticize (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to criticize others for their choices.

Criticizing (Gerund)

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

Example

Criticizing others can damage relationships.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To criticize (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To criticize is not helpful in building relationships.

  To criticize is not helpful in building relationships.

  • "*To criticize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (not helpful) + prepositional phrase (in building relationships).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to criticize her work.

  She wants me to criticize her work.

  • "Me *to criticize* her work" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to criticize* her work).
• 3. Adverb Modifier

  I try to criticize constructively.

  I try to criticize constructively.

  • "*To criticize* constructively" modifies the verb "try."
  • Noun (I) + verb (try) + infinitive phrase (to criticize constructively).

Criticizing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Criticizing is not always productive.

  Criticizing is not always productive.

  • "*Criticizing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adverb (not always) + adjective (productive).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy criticizing movies with my friends.

  I enjoy criticizing movies with my friends.

  • "*Criticizing* movies with my friends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*criticizing* movies with my friends).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He received a lot of backlash for criticizing the government.

  He received a lot of backlash for criticizing the government.

  • "For *criticizing* the government" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (received) + noun phrase (a lot of backlash) + prepositional phrase (for *criticizing* the government).

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
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

He plans to criticize the new policy during the meeting.

They refuse to criticize others for their mistakes.

She wants to criticize the company's decision.

We decided to criticize the book for its inaccuracies.

They agreed to criticize the government's actions.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• mind
• avoid
• consider

Example

She enjoys criticizing art exhibitions.

They recommend avoiding criticizing others without understanding their perspective.

Do you mind criticizing your own work?

He avoids criticizing his colleagues in public.

They consider criticizing the current system for improvement.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I don't like to criticize people behind their backs. I don't like criticizing people behind their backs.

She began to criticize the movie before it even started. She began criticizing the movie before it even started.

They continue to criticize the government's policies. They continue criticizing the government's policies.