To Destroy vs Destroying 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 destroy (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to destroy all evidence of my past mistakes.

Destroying (Gerund)

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

Example

Destroying things without purpose is senseless.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To destroy (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To destroy is a difficult decision to make.

  To destroy is a difficult decision to make.

  • "*To destroy*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a difficult decision to make).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to destroy the documents.

  She wants me to destroy the documents.

  • "Me *to destroy* the documents" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to destroy* the documents).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a hammer to destroy the old furniture.

  We need a hammer to destroy the old furniture.

  • "*To destroy* the old furniture" modifies the noun "hammer."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a hammer *to destroy* the old furniture).

Destroying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Destroying property is a criminal offense.

  Destroying property is a criminal offense.

  • "*Destroying* property" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a criminal offense).
• 2. Object

  He enjoys destroying his opponents in the game.

  He enjoys destroying his opponents in the game.

  • "*Destroying* his opponents in the game" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*destroying* his opponents in the game).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are guilty of destroying public property.

  They are guilty of destroying public property.

  • "Of *destroying* public property" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are) + noun phrase (guilty of *destroying* public property).

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

• decide
• refuse
• attempt
• pretend
• choose

Example

He decided to destroy all the evidence.

They refused to destroy their relationship.

She attempted to destroy the enemy's fortress.

He pretended to destroy the evidence to fool everyone.

We chose to destroy the building for safety reasons.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• postpone
• resist

Example

She avoids destroying relationships with her negative attitude.

We are considering destroying the old bridge and building a new one.

Experts recommend destroying sensitive documents to protect privacy.

He postponed destroying the evidence until further notice.

They resisted destroying the natural habitat for development.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to destroy things when I'm angry. I like destroying things when I'm angry.

He started to destroy his old journals. He started destroying his old journals.

She began to destroy all the evidence. She began destroying all the evidence.