To Misuse vs Misusing 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 misuse (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to misuse my power for personal gain.

Misusing (Gerund)

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

Example

Misusing power can have severe consequences.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To misuse (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To misuse authority is unethical.

  To misuse authority is unethical.

  • "*To misuse* authority" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (unethical).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to misuse the information.

  She wants me to misuse the information.

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

  I need a valid reason to misuse company funds.

  I need a valid reason to misuse company funds.

  • "*To misuse* company funds" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a valid reason *to misuse* company funds).

Misusing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Misusing information is a breach of trust.

  Misusing information is a breach of trust.

  • "*Misusing* information" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a breach of trust).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy misusing my authority.

  I enjoy misusing my authority.

  • "*Misusing* my authority" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*misusing* my authority).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of misusing company resources.

  She has a habit of misusing company resources.

  • "Of *misusing* company resources" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *misusing* company resources).

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
• refuse
• demand
• wish

Example

We decided to misuse the resources for our benefit.

He pretended to misuse the confidential data for his advantage.

They refused to misuse their authority for personal gain.

The protestors demanded to misuse their right to freedom of speech.

I wish to misuse my power to control everything.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• postpone
• deny
• resist

Example

He avoids misusing his position of authority.

They are considering misusing their power to gain an advantage.

We postponed misusing the information until further notice.

She denies misusing the company's funds for personal use.

I am resisting the temptation of misusing my influence.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

He likes to misuse his authority for personal gain. He likes misusing his authority for personal gain.

They began to misuse the system for their advantage. They began misusing the system for their advantage.

She continues to misuse her power without any remorse. She continues misusing her power without any remorse.