When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To hurt (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to hurt" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.
Hurting (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "hurting" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Hurting others is not a solution.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To hurt (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To hurt someone is never the solution.
To hurt someone is never the solution.
- "*To hurt* someone" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adverb (never) + noun phrase (the solution).
- 2Object
He expects me to hurt him with my words.
He expects me to hurt him with my words.
- "Me *to hurt* him with my words" is the object of the verb "expects."
- Noun (He) + verb (expects) + noun phrase (me *to hurt* him with my words).
- 3Adjective Modifier
She needs a bandage to hurt less.
She needs a bandage to hurt less.
- "*To hurt* less" modifies the noun "bandage."
- Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a bandage *to hurt* less).
Hurting (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Hurting people is not the answer.
Hurting people is not the answer.
- "*Hurting* people" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not the answer).
- 2Object
She enjoys hurting others with her sarcastic comments.
She enjoys hurting others with her sarcastic comments.
- "*Hurting* others with her sarcastic comments" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*hurting* others with her sarcastic comments).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a habit of hurting people's feelings.
He has a habit of hurting people's feelings.
- "Of *hurting* people's feelings" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *hurting* people's feelings).
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 decided to hurt each other by breaking up.
He refused to hurt her feelings by telling the truth.
She pretends to hurt herself to get attention.
I wish to hurt you, but I can't bring myself to do it.
They attempted to hurt his reputation, but failed.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They avoid hurting others with their actions.
Do you mind hurting her by rejecting the invitation?
We are considering hurting their chances of winning.
Experts recommend hurting the ego in order to learn.
I understand hurting someone unintentionally, but it still hurts.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I don't like to hurt others. I don't like hurting others.
She started to hurt herself when she was feeling down. She started hurting herself when she was feeling down.
He began to hurt his opponents during the game. He began hurting his opponents during the game.
