To Hesitate vs Hesitating 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 hesitate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to hesitate anymore and I will take the leap.

Hesitating (Gerund)

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

Example

Hesitating can lead to missed opportunities.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To hesitate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To hesitate is a sign of uncertainty.

  To hesitate is a sign of uncertainty.

  • "*To hesitate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of uncertainty).
• 2. Object

  She doesn't like me to hesitate in making decisions.

  She doesn't like me to hesitate in making decisions.

  • "Me *to hesitate* in making decisions" is the object of the verb "doesn't like."
  • Noun (She) + verb (doesn't like) + noun phrase (me *to hesitate* in making decisions).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need more confidence to hesitate less.

  I need more confidence to hesitate less.

  • "*To hesitate* less" modifies the noun "confidence."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (more confidence *to hesitate* less).

Hesitating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Hesitating often stems from fear of failure.

  Hesitating often stems from fear of failure.

  • "*Hesitating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (often stems) + noun phrase (from fear of failure).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy watching others hesitating before taking a risk.

  I enjoy watching others hesitating before taking a risk.

  • "Watching others *hesitating* before taking a risk" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (watching others *hesitating* before taking a risk).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of hesitating in crucial moments.

  She has a habit of hesitating in crucial moments.

  • "Of *hesitating* in crucial moments" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *hesitating* in crucial moments).

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
• plan
• want
• refuse
• choose

Example

He decided to hesitate no longer and took action.

They planned to hesitate before giving their answer.

She wants me to hesitate less and be more decisive.

I refused to hesitate and made a quick decision.

We chose to hesitate for only a moment before making our choice.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• imagine
• mind

Example

He avoids hesitating by trusting his instincts.

They recommend hesitating before making impulsive decisions.

I am considering hesitating as an option before giving my final answer.

Can you imagine hesitating and missing out on such a great opportunity?

Do you mind hesitating for a moment while I gather my thoughts?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to hesitate before making important choices. She likes hesitating before making important choices.

We started to hesitate less and take more risks. We started hesitating less and taking more risks.

He began to hesitate more often due to his lack of confidence. He began hesitating more often due to his lack of confidence.