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To Loathe vs Loathing Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To loathe (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to loathe that person for their actions.

Loathing (Gerund)

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

Example

Loathing is a strong feeling of disgust.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To loathe (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To loathe is a strong emotion.

    To loathe is a strong emotion.

    • "*To loathe*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a strong emotion).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to loathe him.

    She wants me to loathe him.

    • "Me *to loathe* him" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to loathe* him).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a reason to loathe him.

    I need a reason to loathe him.

    • "*To loathe* him" modifies the noun "reason."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reason *to loathe* him).

Loathing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Loathing can consume a person.

    Loathing can consume a person.

    • "*Loathing*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (can) + noun phrase (a person).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy loathing bad movies.

    I enjoy loathing bad movies.

    • "*Loathing* bad movies" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*loathing* bad movies).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a talent for loathing people.

    She has a talent for loathing people.

    • "For *loathing* people" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *loathing* people).

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

She plans to loathe him forever.

They hope to loathe his behavior.

He wants to loathe the situation.

We decided to loathe that person's actions.

They agreed to loathe him together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys loathing rude individuals.

They recommend avoiding loathing others for better mental health.

I dislike the feeling of loathing someone.

He avoids loathing situations that cause stress.

Can you imagine yourself loathing someone you once loved?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to loathe her enemies. She likes loathing her enemies.

We started to loathe each other. We started loathing each other.

He began to loathe his job. He began loathing his job.

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