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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 based on their appearance.

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 leads to negativity and bitterness.

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 his job.

    He needs a reason to hate his job.

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

Hating (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Hating others will not solve any problems.

    Hating others will not solve any problems.

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

    She enjoys hating on social media.

    She enjoys hating on social media.

    • "*Hating* on social media" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
    • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*hating* on social media).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    He apologized for hating his brother.

    He apologized for hating his brother.

    • "For *hating* his brother" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (He) + verb (apologized) + preposition (for) + gerund (*hating* his brother).

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

They plan to hate each other forever.

I want to hate Mondays less.

She refuses to hate herself for past mistakes.

He decided to hate cilantro after trying it once.

We attempted to hate the taste, but we couldn't.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

They avoid hating others because it brings negativity.

I am considering hating broccoli less.

Experts recommend hating no one but loving everyone.

Can you imagine hating something you used to love?

Do you mind hating on your favorite team?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

They like to hate each other secretly. They like hating each other secretly.

She started to hate her job. She started hating her job.

We began to hate the new TV series. We began hating the new TV series.

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