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To Hate vs Hating Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To hate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to hate anyone, no matter what.

Hating (Gerund)

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

Example

Hating only brings negativity into your life.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To hate (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To hate is a destructive emotion.

    To hate is a destructive emotion.

    • "*To hate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a destructive emotion).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to hate her ex-boyfriend.

    She wants me to hate her ex-boyfriend.

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

    He needs a reason to hate him.

    He needs a reason to hate him.

    • "*To hate* him" modifies the noun "reason."
    • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a reason *to hate* him).

Hating (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Hating others will not solve your problems.

    Hating others will not solve your problems.

    • "*Hating* others" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (will not solve) + noun phrase (your problems).
  • 2Object

    I can't stand hating myself for past mistakes.

    I can't stand hating myself for past mistakes.

    • "*Hating* myself for past mistakes" is the object of the verb "can't stand."
    • Noun (I) + verb (can't stand) + gerund (*hating* myself for past mistakes).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a fear of hating others.

    She has a fear of hating others.

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

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 hate her job anymore.

They hope to hate each other less in the future.

He wants to hate his rival passionately.

We decided to hate injustice and fight for equality.

They agreed to hate the movie for its poor storyline.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys hating spicy food.

They recommend avoiding hating on social media.

I dislike the feeling of hating someone.

He avoids hating his own reflection in the mirror.

Can you imagine yourself hating puppies?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to hate Mondays. She likes hating Mondays.

We started to hate each other after that argument. We started hating each other after that argument.

He began to hate the taste of coffee. He began hating the taste of coffee.

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