To Misinterpret vs Misinterpreting 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 misinterpret (Infinitive)

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

Example

They often misinterpret my intentions.

Misinterpreting (Gerund)

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

Example

Misinterpreting can lead to misunderstandings.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To misinterpret (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To misinterpret is a common mistake.

  To misinterpret is a common mistake.

  • "*To misinterpret*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common mistake).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to misinterpret her words.

  She wants me to misinterpret her words.

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

  I need a clear explanation to misinterpret their instructions.

  I need a clear explanation to misinterpret their instructions.

  • "*To misinterpret* their instructions" modifies the noun "explanation."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a clear explanation *to misinterpret* their instructions).

Misinterpreting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Misinterpreting someone's words is never a good idea.

  Misinterpreting someone's words is never a good idea.

  • "*Misinterpreting* someone's words" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (never a good idea).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy misinterpreting abstract art.

  I enjoy misinterpreting abstract art.

  • "*Misinterpreting* abstract art" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*misinterpreting* abstract art).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for misinterpreting people's intentions.

  She has a talent for misinterpreting people's intentions.

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

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

He plans to misinterpret the data for his advantage.

I hope not to misinterpret the instructions again.

They want you to misinterpret their message.

We decided to misinterpret their intentions as positive.

They agreed to misinterpret the evidence in their favor.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys misinterpreting jokes and sarcasm.

They recommend avoiding misinterpreting body language.

I dislike misinterpreting tone in written messages.

She avoids misinterpreting cultural customs.

Can you imagine misinterpreting a foreign language?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to misinterpret situations for comedic effect. I like misinterpreting situations for comedic effect.

He started to misinterpret her words as an insult. He started misinterpreting her words as an insult.

We began to misinterpret their actions as suspicious. We began misinterpreting their actions as suspicious.