To Ennerve vs Ennerving 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 ennerve (Infinitive)

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

Example

His constant complaints to ennerve everyone around him.

Ennerving (Gerund)

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

Example

His constant complaining can be ennerving for those around him.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To ennerve (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To ennerve is not a productive use of your energy.

  To ennerve is not a productive use of your energy.

  • "*To ennerve*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a productive use of your energy).
• 2. Object

  She wants him to ennerve her with his constant nagging.

  She wants him to ennerve her with his constant nagging.

  • "Him *to ennerve* her with his constant nagging" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (him *to ennerve* her with his constant nagging).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a peaceful environment to ennerve me.

  I need a peaceful environment to ennerve me.

  • "*To ennerve* me" modifies the noun "environment."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a peaceful environment *to ennerve* me).

Ennerving (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Ennerving others with constant complaining is not a good habit.

  Ennerving others with constant complaining is not a good habit.

  • "*Ennerving* others with constant complaining" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a good habit).
• 2. Object

  I can't stand his constant complaining, it is really ennerving.

  I can't stand his constant complaining, it is really ennerving.

  • "His constant complaining, it is really *ennerving*" is the object of the verb "can't stand."
  • Noun (I) + verb (can't stand) + gerund (his constant complaining, it is really *ennerving*).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of ennerving her coworkers with her demands.

  She has a fear of ennerving her coworkers with her demands.

  • "Of *ennerving* her coworkers with her demands" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *ennerving* her coworkers with her demands).

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

• hope
• want
• refuse
• attempt
• pretend

Example

He hopes to ennerve his opponent with his aggressive play.

She wants to ennerve her colleagues with her constant criticism.

They refused to ennerve themselves with negative thoughts.

I attempted to ennerve him by ignoring his comments.

He pretended to ennerve his siblings by hiding their belongings.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• resist

Example

He avoids ennerving others with his constant complaints.

We are considering ennerving our opponents with our strong defense.

They recommend avoiding ennerving situations for better mental health.

Do you mind my ennerving you with my constant questions?

She resisted ennerving herself with negative thoughts.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

He likes to ennerve his siblings by playing pranks on them. She likes ennerving her friends with her sarcastic remarks.

They began to ennerve each other with their constant bickering. I began ennerving him by repeatedly interrupting his speech.

He continues to ennerve his coworkers with his loud music. She continues ennerving her parents with her rebellious behavior.