When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To hinder (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to hinder" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I refuse to hinder your progress in any way.
Hindering (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "hindering" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Hindering others' progress is not a productive behavior.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To hinder (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To hinder is not my intention.
To hinder is not my intention.
- "*To hinder*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not my intention).
- 2Object
She wants me to hinder their plans.
She wants me to hinder their plans.
- "Me *to hinder* their plans" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to hinder* their plans).
- 3Adjective Modifier
They need a solution to hinder further complications.
They need a solution to hinder further complications.
- "*To hinder* further complications" modifies the noun "solution."
- Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a solution *to hinder* further complications).
Hindering (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Hindering their efforts won't lead to anything positive.
Hindering their efforts won't lead to anything positive.
- "*Hindering* their efforts" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (won't lead) + noun phrase (anything positive).
- 2Object
I avoid hindering their growth.
I avoid hindering their growth.
- "*Hindering* their growth" is the object of the verb "avoid."
- Noun (I) + verb (avoid) + gerund (*hindering* their growth).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for hindering progress.
He has a talent for hindering progress.
- "For *hindering* progress" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *hindering* progress).
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
We decided to hinder their progress in any way.
He attempted to hinder the investigation.
She refuses to hinder their success.
I wish to hinder their plans.
They demand to hinder the competition.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They consider hindering their opponents' strategies.
I recommend hindering unnecessary expenses.
She avoids hindering the team's progress.
He resists hindering others' creativity.
They understand the consequences of hindering innovation.
