To Kidnap vs Kidnapping 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 kidnap (Infinitive)

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

Example

The criminals attempted to kidnap the wealthy businessman.

Kidnapping (Gerund)

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

Example

Kidnapping is a heinous crime that affects many lives.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To kidnap (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To kidnap someone is a serious crime.

  To kidnap someone is a serious crime.

  • "*To kidnap* someone" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a serious crime).
• 2. Object

  He wants his rival to kidnap the key witness.

  He wants his rival to kidnap the key witness.

  • "His rival *to kidnap* the key witness" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (his rival *to kidnap* the key witness).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  She needs a van to kidnap the victim.

  She needs a van to kidnap the victim.

  • "*To kidnap* the victim" modifies the noun "van."
  • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a van *to kidnap* the victim).

Kidnapping (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Kidnapping is a violation of human rights.

  Kidnapping is a violation of human rights.

  • "*Kidnapping*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a violation of human rights).
• 2. Object

  I detest kidnapping innocent people for money.

  I detest kidnapping innocent people for money.

  • "*Kidnapping* innocent people for money" is the object of the verb "detest."
  • Noun (I) + verb (detest) + gerund (*kidnapping* innocent people for money).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They were charged with the crime of kidnapping.

  They were charged with the crime of kidnapping.

  • "The crime of *kidnapping*" is the object of the preposition "with."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (were charged) + noun phrase (the crime of *kidnapping*).

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

• plan
• demand
• pretend
• refuse
• struggle

Example

The gang plans to kidnap the CEO for ransom.

They demanded to kidnap the politician's family for negotiation.

He pretended to kidnap the celebrity to gain attention.

She refused to kidnap the innocent child.

They struggled to kidnap the target without being noticed.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• imagine
• discuss

Example

We should avoid kidnapping at all costs.

He is considering kidnapping the rival's family for revenge.

Experts recommend reporting any suspicious kidnapping activities.

Can you imagine the trauma caused by kidnapping?

They gathered to discuss measures to prevent kidnapping incidents.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

They would like to kidnap the celebrity for publicity. They would like kidnapping the celebrity for publicity.

The criminals began to kidnap high-profile individuals. The criminals began kidnapping high-profile individuals.

He continues to kidnap innocent victims for ransom. He continues kidnapping innocent victims for ransom.