To Mind vs Minding 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 mind (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't mind helping you with your project.

Minding (Gerund)

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

Example

Minding your own business is important.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To mind (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To mind your own business is important.

  To mind your own business is important.

  • "*To mind* your own business" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to mind the children while she's out.

  She wants me to mind the children while she's out.

  • "Me *to mind* the children while she's out" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to mind* the children while she's out).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need someone to mind my pets while I'm away.

  I need someone to mind my pets while I'm away.

  • "*To mind* my pets while I'm away" modifies the noun "someone."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (someone *to mind* my pets while I'm away).

Minding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Minding your own business can prevent unnecessary conflicts.

  Minding your own business can prevent unnecessary conflicts.

  • "*Minding* your own business" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can prevent) + adjective phrase (unnecessary conflicts).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy minding my own business and not getting involved in drama.

  I enjoy minding my own business and not getting involved in drama.

  • "*Minding* my own business and not getting involved in drama" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*minding* my own business and not getting involved in drama).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for minding the small details.

  She has a talent for minding the small details.

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

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
• attempt
• refuse
• hope
• wish

Example

He decided to mind his own business and not get involved.

They attempted to mind their manners at the formal dinner.

She refused to mind her sister's children for the weekend.

We hope to mind the details of the event planning.

I wish to mind my own business and not interfere.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• resist

Example

They consider minding their own business to be a virtue.

I recommend minding your manners at the formal dinner.

He avoids minding other people's affairs.

Can you imagine minding your own business in that situation?

She resists minding the gossip and rumors.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to mind her own business. She likes minding her own business.

We started to mind our own business. We started minding our own business.

He began to mind his own business. He began minding his own business.