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To Distract vs Distracting Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To distract (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to distract myself from the stress of work.

Distracting (Gerund)

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

Example

Distracting noises can make it difficult to concentrate.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To distract (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To distract someone is not always a good idea.

    To distract someone is not always a good idea.

    • "*To distract* someone" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adverb phrase (not always a good idea).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to distract her from the bad news.

    She wants me to distract her from the bad news.

    • "Me *to distract* her from the bad news" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to distract* her from the bad news).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    He needs a hobby to distract him from his worries.

    He needs a hobby to distract him from his worries.

    • "*To distract* him from his worries" modifies the noun "hobby."
    • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a hobby *to distract* him from his worries).

Distracting (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Distracting others is impolite.

    Distracting others is impolite.

    • "*Distracting* others" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (impolite).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy distracting myself with puzzles.

    I enjoy distracting myself with puzzles.

    • "*Distracting* myself with puzzles" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*distracting* myself with puzzles).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a hard time focusing due to distracting noises.

    She has a hard time focusing due to distracting noises.

    • "Due to *distracting* noises" is the object of the preposition "due to."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a hard time focusing due to *distracting* noises).

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

I will try to distract myself with a good book.

They want to distract their children from the TV.

We decided to distract ourselves by going for a walk.

She plans to distract herself by taking up a new hobby.

He hopes to distract himself by traveling.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He avoids distracting himself with social media while studying.

They recommend using noise-cancelling headphones to block out distracting sounds.

I am considering distracting myself with a new hobby.

Do you mind distracting yourself with a puzzle for a while?

Can you imagine distracting yourself with a scenic view?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to distract herself with music. She likes distracting herself with music.

We started to distract ourselves by watching funny videos. We started distracting ourselves by watching funny videos.

He began to distract himself by reading novels. He began distracting himself by reading novels.

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