To Malfunction vs Malfunctioning 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 malfunction (Infinitive)

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

Example

The machine needs to malfunction in order to be repaired.

Malfunctioning (Gerund)

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

Example

Malfunctioning can lead to serious consequences.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To malfunction (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To malfunction is a rare occurrence for this model.

  To malfunction is a rare occurrence for this model.

  • "*To malfunction*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a rare occurrence for this model).
• 2. Object

  They want the machine to malfunction during testing.

  They want the machine to malfunction during testing.

  • "The machine *to malfunction* during testing" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (the machine *to malfunction* during testing).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a broken device to malfunction properly.

  I need a broken device to malfunction properly.

  • "*To malfunction* properly" modifies the noun "device."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a broken device *to malfunction* properly).

Malfunctioning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Malfunctioning is a common issue with older models.

  Malfunctioning is a common issue with older models.

  • "*Malfunctioning*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common issue with older models).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy watching the robot malfunctioning.

  I enjoy watching the robot malfunctioning.

  • "Watching the robot *malfunctioning*" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (watching the robot *malfunctioning*).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has experience in dealing with malfunctioning devices.

  She has experience in dealing with malfunctioning devices.

  • "In dealing with *malfunctioning* devices" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience in dealing with *malfunctioning* devices).

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
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

She plans to malfunction the system intentionally.

They hope to malfunction the equipment during the experiment.

He wants the software to malfunction under certain conditions.

We decided to malfunction the device for testing purposes.

They agreed to malfunction the machine as part of the demonstration.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• dislike
• postpone
• imagine

Example

He avoids using malfunctioning appliances.

They recommend regular maintenance to prevent malfunctioning.

I dislike the sound of malfunctioning engines.

We postponed the meeting due to malfunctioning equipment.

Can you imagine the consequences of malfunctioning safety systems?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to malfunction on purpose. She likes malfunctioning for attention.

We started to malfunction unexpectedly. We started malfunctioning after the power outage.

He began to malfunction frequently. He began malfunctioning without warning.