To Finagle vs Finagling 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 finagle (Infinitive)

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

Example

I plan to finagle a discount on the car purchase.

Finagling (Gerund)

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

Example

Finagling is not a recommended approach in business.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To finagle (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To finagle is not a fair way to achieve success.

  To finagle is not a fair way to achieve success.

  • "*To finagle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a fair way to achieve success).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to finagle a better deal for her.

  She wants me to finagle a better deal for her.

  • "Me *to finagle* a better deal for her" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to finagle* a better deal for her).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a strategy to finagle my way into the event.

  I need a strategy to finagle my way into the event.

  • "*To finagle* my way into the event" modifies the noun "strategy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to finagle* my way into the event).

Finagling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Finagling often leads to negative consequences.

  Finagling often leads to negative consequences.

  • "*Finagling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (often leads to) + noun phrase (negative consequences).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy finagling my way through challenging puzzles.

  I enjoy finagling my way through challenging puzzles.

  • "*Finagling* my way through challenging puzzles" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*finagling* my way through challenging puzzles).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for finagling freebies.

  She has a talent for finagling freebies.

  • "For *finagling* freebies" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *finagling* freebies).

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
• attempt
• want
• refuse
• pretend

Example

They hope to finagle an invitation to the exclusive party.

He attempted to finagle a promotion at work.

She wants to finagle a higher salary.

They refused to finagle their way out of the difficult situation.

He pretended to finagle a VIP pass to the concert.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• mind
• consider
• imagine

Example

He avoids finagling his way to success.

They recommend against finagling in negotiations.

Do you mind finagling the details of the project?

We are considering finagling the rules to our advantage.

Can you imagine yourself finagling your way to the top?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to finagle a better price for the product. I would like finagling a better price for the product.

She started to finagle her way into the industry. She started finagling her way into the industry.

He began to finagle his expenses to save money. He began finagling his expenses to save money.