To Harm vs Harming 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 harm (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to harm any living creature.

Harming (Gerund)

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

Example

Harming others will only bring negativity into your life.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To harm (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To harm is never a solution to a problem.

  To harm is never a solution to a problem.

  • "*To harm*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (never a solution to a problem).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to harm her ex-boyfriend.

  She wants me to harm her ex-boyfriend.

  • "Me *to harm* her ex-boyfriend" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to harm* her ex-boyfriend).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a weapon to harm his enemies.

  He needs a weapon to harm his enemies.

  • "*To harm* his enemies" modifies the noun "weapon."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a weapon *to harm* his enemies).

Harming (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Harming innocent people is a crime.

  Harming innocent people is a crime.

  • "*Harming* innocent people" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a crime).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys harming her enemies' reputation.

  She enjoys harming her enemies' reputation.

  • "*Harming* her enemies' reputation" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*harming* her enemies' reputation).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He was accused of harming the environment.

  He was accused of harming the environment.

  • "*Harming* the environment" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (was accused of) + noun phrase (*harming* the environment).

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

• decide
• pretend
• determine
• wish
• demand

Example

I decided to harm him for what he did to me.

She pretends to harm herself for attention.

We determined to harm the enemy troops.

They wish to harm their competitors in the business.

He demands to harm those who betrayed him.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• imagine

Example

They avoid harming animals by following a vegetarian diet.

Experts recommend harming the environment by reducing carbon emissions.

Many people consider harming others for personal gain.

I don't mind harming myself if it benefits others.

Can you imagine harming someone you love?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She doesn't like to harm anyone. She doesn't like harming anyone.

He started to harm himself as a form of self-punishment. He started harming himself as a form of self-punishment.

They began to harm each other emotionally. They began harming each other emotionally.