To Eavesdrop vs Eavesdropping 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 eavesdrop (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to eavesdrop on their conversation to find out the truth.

Eavesdropping (Gerund)

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

Example

Eavesdropping on other people's conversations is unethical.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To eavesdrop (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To eavesdrop is considered an invasion of privacy.

  To eavesdrop is considered an invasion of privacy.

  • "*To eavesdrop*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is considered) + noun phrase (an invasion of privacy).
• 2. Object

  She asked me to eavesdrop on their meeting.

  She asked me to eavesdrop on their meeting.

  • "Me *to eavesdrop* on their meeting" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to eavesdrop* on their meeting).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a device to eavesdrop on their conversations.

  I need a device to eavesdrop on their conversations.

  • "*To eavesdrop* on their conversations" modifies the noun "device."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a device *to eavesdrop* on their conversations).

Eavesdropping (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Eavesdropping can lead to legal consequences.

  Eavesdropping can lead to legal consequences.

  • "*Eavesdropping*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead) + noun phrase (legal consequences).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy eavesdropping on strangers' conversations in cafes.

  I enjoy eavesdropping on strangers' conversations in cafes.

  • "*Eavesdropping* on strangers' conversations in cafes" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*eavesdropping* on strangers' conversations in cafes).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He was caught in the act of eavesdropping on his colleagues.

  He was caught in the act of eavesdropping on his colleagues.

  • "*Eavesdropping* on his colleagues" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (was caught) + preposition (in) + gerund (*eavesdropping* on his colleagues).

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

• attempt
• refuse
• pretend
• choose
• demand

Example

He attempted to eavesdrop on their private conversation.

They refused to eavesdrop on their neighbors.

She pretended to eavesdrop on their phone call.

We chose to eavesdrop on their discussion.

The detective demanded to eavesdrop on their conversation.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• mind
• consider
• recommend
• postpone

Example

She avoids eavesdropping on private conversations.

Do you mind me eavesdropping on your phone call?

They are considering eavesdropping on their competitors.

Experts recommend not eavesdropping on others.

He postponed eavesdropping until he had more information.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She would like to eavesdrop on their conversation. She would like eavesdropping on their conversation.

We started to eavesdrop on their phone calls. We started eavesdropping on their phone calls.

He began to eavesdrop on their discussions. He began eavesdropping on their discussions.