To Mull vs Mulling 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 mull (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to mull over the decision before I make a choice.

Mulling (Gerund)

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

Example

Mulling over the problem can help you come up with creative solutions.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To mull (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To mull is a common practice before making big decisions.

  To mull is a common practice before making big decisions.

  • "*To mull*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice before making big decisions).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to mull over the options and give her my opinion.

  She wants me to mull over the options and give her my opinion.

  • "Me *to mull* over the options and give her my opinion" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to mull* over the options and give her my opinion).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need some quiet time to mull things over.

  I need some quiet time to mull things over.

  • "*To mull* things over" modifies the noun "quiet time."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (some quiet time *to mull* things over).

Mulling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Mulling over the situation is not productive.

  Mulling over the situation is not productive.

  • "*Mulling* over the situation" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not productive).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy mulling over different ideas and brainstorming.

  I enjoy mulling over different ideas and brainstorming.

  • "*Mulling* over different ideas and brainstorming" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*mulling* over different ideas and brainstorming).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a habit of mulling over problems for hours.

  He has a habit of mulling over problems for hours.

  • "Of *mulling* over problems for hours" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *mulling* over problems for hours).

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

• consider
• plan
• hope
• want
• decide

Example

He considers to mull over the problem for a while.

They plan to mull over the proposal before responding.

She hopes to mull over the offer before accepting it.

We want to mull over the details before finalizing the agreement.

I decided to mull over the options before making a decision.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• delay
• mind

Example

She avoids mulling over negative thoughts.

Experts recommend mulling over the options before making a decision.

I am considering mulling over the problem overnight.

He delayed mulling over the offer until tomorrow.

Do you mind mulling over this report and giving me your feedback?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to mull over all the possibilities. They like mulling over all the possibilities.

She started to mull over her career options. She started mulling over her career options.

We began to mull over the implications of the new policy. We began mulling over the implications of the new policy.