To Maul vs Mauling 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 maul (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to maul the innocent animal.

Mauling (Gerund)

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

Example

Mauling can result in serious injuries or even death.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To maul (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To maul is a cruel act of aggression.

  To maul is a cruel act of aggression.

  • "*To maul*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a cruel act of aggression).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to maul the enemy.

  He wants me to maul the enemy.

  • "Me *to maul* the enemy" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to maul* the enemy).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a weapon to maul my opponents.

  I need a weapon to maul my opponents.

  • "*To maul* my opponents" modifies the noun "weapon."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a weapon *to maul* my opponents).

Mauling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Mauling by wild animals is a constant danger in the wilderness.

  Mauling by wild animals is a constant danger in the wilderness.

  • "*Mauling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a constant danger in the wilderness).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy mauling my opponents in the ring.

  I enjoy mauling my opponents in the ring.

  • "*Mauling* my opponents in the ring" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*mauling* my opponents in the ring).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of mauling by vicious dogs.

  She has a fear of mauling by vicious dogs.

  • "Of *mauling* by vicious dogs" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *mauling* by vicious dogs).

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

• decide
• pretend
• determine
• wish
• demand

Example

She decided to maul the intruder in self-defense.

They pretend to maul each other during their play fights.

He determined to maul the prey to feed his family.

We wish to maul the obstacles that stand in our way.

The crowd demanded to maul the opposing team.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• resist
• consider
• recommend
• understand

Example

He avoids mauling his prey in front of others.

They resist mauling each other during their training sessions.

I am considering mauling my opponents with a surprise attack.

Experts recommend avoiding mauling wild animals for safety reasons.

Can you understand the consequences of mauling someone?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• stop

Example

She likes to maul her opponents in the wrestling ring. She likes mauling her opponents in the wrestling ring.

We began to maul our rivals with relentless aggression. We began mauling our rivals with relentless aggression.

He stopped to maul his adversaries after realizing the harm it caused. He stopped mauling his adversaries after realizing the harm it caused.