When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To frustrate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to frustrate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I don't want to frustrate you with my mistakes.
Frustrating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "frustrating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Frustrating situations can test our patience.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To frustrate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To frustrate is not my intention.
To frustrate is not my intention.
- "*To frustrate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not my intention).
- 2Object
He expects me to frustrate his plans.
He expects me to frustrate his plans.
- "Me *to frustrate* his plans" is the object of the verb "expects."
- Noun (He) + verb (expects) + noun phrase (me *to frustrate* his plans).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a solution to frustrate our competitors.
We need a solution to frustrate our competitors.
- "*To frustrate* our competitors" modifies the noun "solution."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a solution *to frustrate* our competitors).
Frustrating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Frustrating others is not a productive behavior.
Frustrating others is not a productive behavior.
- "*Frustrating* others" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a productive behavior).
- 2Object
I can't stand frustrating people who don't listen.
I can't stand frustrating people who don't listen.
- "*Frustrating* people who don't listen" is the object of the verb "can't stand."
- Noun (I) + verb (can't stand) + gerund (*frustrating* people who don't listen).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a fear of frustrating her colleagues.
She has a fear of frustrating her colleagues.
- "Of *frustrating* her colleagues" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *frustrating* her 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
Example
She plans to frustrate her opponents in the upcoming game.
They hope to frustrate their competition with their innovative ideas.
He wants to frustrate his rivals by outperforming them.
We decided to frustrate our competitors by offering better customer service.
They agreed to frustrate their opponents by implementing new strategies.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys frustrating her opponents in the game.
They recommend avoiding frustrating situations for better mental health.
I dislike the feeling of frustrating others unintentionally.
He avoids frustrating his team members with unclear instructions.
Can you imagine the consequences of frustrating your customers?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to frustrate her competitors. She likes frustrating her competitors.
We started to frustrate our opponents with our innovative approach. We started frustrating our opponents with our innovative approach.
He began to frustrate his colleagues with his constant criticism. He began frustrating his colleagues with his constant criticism.
