To Grimace vs Grimacing 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 grimace (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to grimace in pain.

Grimacing (Gerund)

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

Example

Grimacing can be a sign of physical discomfort.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To grimace (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To grimace is a natural reaction to intense discomfort.

  To grimace is a natural reaction to intense discomfort.

  • "*To grimace*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural reaction to intense discomfort).
• 2. Object

  She asked him to grimace for the camera.

  She asked him to grimace for the camera.

  • "Him *to grimace* for the camera" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to grimace* for the camera).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a mirror to grimace at his reflection.

  He needs a mirror to grimace at his reflection.

  • "*To grimace* at his reflection" modifies the noun "mirror."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a mirror *to grimace* at his reflection).

Grimacing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Grimacing often indicates pain or discomfort.

  Grimacing often indicates pain or discomfort.

  • "*Grimacing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (often indicates) + noun phrase (pain or discomfort).
• 2. Object

  I dislike grimacing in front of others.

  I dislike grimacing in front of others.

  • "*Grimacing* in front of others" is the object of the verb "dislike."
  • Noun (I) + verb (dislike) + gerund (*grimacing* in front of others).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of grimacing in public.

  She has a fear of grimacing in public.

  • "Of *grimacing* in public" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *grimacing* in public).

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
• pretend
• refuse
• struggle
• manage

Example

She attempted to grimace through the pain.

He pretended to grimace in mock pain.

They refused to grimace despite the discomfort.

We struggled to grimace while holding back tears.

He managed to grimace and keep a straight face.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• mind
• resist
• understand

Example

He avoids grimacing in front of others.

They recommend grimacing as a way to relieve tension.

Do you mind grimacing for the camera?

She resisted grimacing despite the pain.

I understand grimacing when in physical discomfort.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to grimace when telling funny stories. She likes grimacing when telling funny stories.

He started to grimace after the injury. He started grimacing after the injury.

We began to grimace in sympathy. We began grimacing in sympathy.