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To Embitter vs Embittering 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 embitter (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to embitter our relationship with arguments.

Embittering (Gerund)

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

Example

Embittering the situation will only make things worse.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To embitter (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To embitter someone is not a productive way to handle conflicts.

    To embitter someone is not a productive way to handle conflicts.

    • "*To embitter* someone" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a productive way to handle conflicts).
  • 2Object

    He expects me to embitter the situation with my words.

    He expects me to embitter the situation with my words.

    • "Me *to embitter* the situation with my words" is the object of the verb "expects."
    • Noun (He) + verb (expects) + noun phrase (me *to embitter* the situation with my words).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a solution to embitter the bitterness between them.

    I need a solution to embitter the bitterness between them.

    • "*To embitter* the bitterness between them" modifies the noun "solution."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a solution *to embitter* the bitterness between them).

Embittering (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Embittering others with your words is not a healthy behavior.

    Embittering others with your words is not a healthy behavior.

    • "*Embittering* others with your words" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a healthy behavior).
  • 2Object

    I regret embittering the relationship with my actions.

    I regret embittering the relationship with my actions.

    • "*Embittering* the relationship with my actions" is the object of the verb "regret."
    • Noun (I) + verb (regret) + gerund (*embittering* the relationship with my actions).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a habit of embittering every situation.

    She has a habit of embittering every situation.

    • "Of *embittering* every situation" is the object of the preposition "of."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *embittering* every situation).

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

She refused to embitter the conversation by bringing up past mistakes.

They struggled to embitter their relationship with constant disagreements.

He demanded to embitter the atmosphere with his negative comments.

We determined to embitter the situation by confronting each other.

They wished to embitter the meeting by expressing their dissatisfaction.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He avoids embittering conversations by staying calm and respectful.

They resist embittering their relationship by focusing on the positive aspects.

I am considering embittering the discussion with my opposing views.

Experts recommend not embittering the negotiation process with personal attacks.

Can you understand the consequences of embittering the situation further?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She doesn't like to embitter the conversation with unnecessary arguments. She doesn't like embittering the conversation with unnecessary arguments.

We began to embitter our friendship with constant disagreements. We began embittering our friendship with constant disagreements.

He decided to embitter their relationship by constantly criticizing her. He decided embittering their relationship by constantly criticizing her.

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