To Manhandle vs Manhandling 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 manhandle (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to manhandle the fragile package.

Manhandling (Gerund)

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

Example

Manhandling is not acceptable behavior.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To manhandle (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To manhandle is a form of physical aggression.

  To manhandle is a form of physical aggression.

  • "*To manhandle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a form of physical aggression).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to manhandle the heavy boxes.

  She wants me to manhandle the heavy boxes.

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

  I need strong gloves to manhandle these items.

  I need strong gloves to manhandle these items.

  • "*To manhandle* these items" modifies the noun "gloves."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (strong gloves *to manhandle* these items).

Manhandling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Manhandling can lead to serious consequences.

  Manhandling can lead to serious consequences.

  • "*Manhandling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead) + noun phrase (serious consequences).
• 2. Object

  I dislike manhandling others in any situation.

  I dislike manhandling others in any situation.

  • "*Manhandling* others in any situation" is the object of the verb "dislike."
  • Noun (I) + verb (dislike) + gerund (*manhandling* others in any situation).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She received a warning for manhandling her opponent.

  She received a warning for manhandling her opponent.

  • "For *manhandling* her opponent" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (received) + noun phrase (a warning for *manhandling* her opponent).

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
• want
• decide
• attempt
• refuse

Example

They plan to manhandle the equipment carefully.

He wants to manhandle the furniture without assistance.

We decided to manhandle the boxes ourselves.

She attempted to manhandle the heavy object but failed.

He refused to manhandle the fragile artwork.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• postpone
• resist

Example

He avoids manhandling his colleagues during conflicts.

They recommend against manhandling any living creature.

I am considering manhandling the heavy equipment for relocation.

Let's postpone manhandling the furniture until we have more help.

She resists the urge to engage in manhandling situations.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to manhandle objects to test their strength. They like manhandling objects to test their strength.

We started to manhandle the boxes with caution. We started manhandling the boxes with caution.

He began to manhandle the luggage roughly. He began manhandling the luggage roughly.