To Inconvenience vs Inconveniencing 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 inconvenience (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to inconvenience you, but could you please pick up my mail?

Inconveniencing (Gerund)

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

Example

Inconveniencing others is something I try to avoid.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To inconvenience (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To inconvenience others is not my intention.

  To inconvenience others is not my intention.

  • "*To inconvenience* others" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not my intention).
• 2. Object

  She asked him to inconvenience himself and help her with the heavy boxes.

  She asked him to inconvenience himself and help her with the heavy boxes.

  • "Him *to inconvenience* himself and help her with the heavy boxes" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to inconvenience* himself and help her with the heavy boxes).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a favor to inconvenience you.

  I need a favor to inconvenience you.

  • "*To inconvenience* you" modifies the noun "favor."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a favor *to inconvenience* you).

Inconveniencing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Inconveniencing people is not a good habit.

  Inconveniencing people is not a good habit.

  • "*Inconveniencing* people" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a good habit).
• 2. Object

  I dislike inconveniencing others with my problems.

  I dislike inconveniencing others with my problems.

  • "*Inconveniencing* others with my problems" is the object of the verb "dislike."
  • Noun (I) + verb (dislike) + gerund (*inconveniencing* others with my problems).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He apologized for inconveniencing his colleagues.

  He apologized for inconveniencing his colleagues.

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

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

• promise
• refuse
• attempt
• choose
• determine

Example

He promised not to inconvenience anyone with his late-night phone calls.

They refused to inconvenience their guests by canceling the party.

She attempted to inconvenience herself to accommodate everyone's needs.

We have to choose whether to inconvenience ourselves for the sake of others or not.

He determined to inconvenience himself in order to achieve his goals.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• mind
• consider
• postpone
• imagine

Example

I always try to avoid inconveniencing others with my requests.

Do you mind inconveniencing yourself and helping me carry these bags?

They are considering inconveniencing themselves for the benefit of the team.

He decided to postpone inconveniencing his family with the news.

Can you imagine inconveniencing yourself for someone else's happiness?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to inconvenience you with a small favor. I would like inconveniencing you with a small favor.

She started to inconvenience herself to help others. She started inconveniencing herself to help others.

They began to inconvenience their neighbors with loud music. They began inconveniencing their neighbors with loud music.