To Mutter vs Muttering 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 mutter (Infinitive)

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

Example

She tends to mutter to herself when she's deep in thought.

Muttering (Gerund)

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

Example

Muttering under his breath, he expressed his frustration.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To mutter (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To mutter is considered rude in public places.

  To mutter is considered rude in public places.

  • "*To mutter*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (considered rude in public places).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to mutter the secret code to him.

  He wants me to mutter the secret code to him.

  • "Me *to mutter* the secret code to him" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to mutter* the secret code to him).
• 3. Adverbial Modifier

  I need complete silence to mutter my lines.

  I need complete silence to mutter my lines.

  • "*To mutter* my lines" modifies the noun phrase "complete silence."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + adverb phrase (complete silence *to mutter* my lines).

Muttering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Muttering can be a sign of discontentment.

  Muttering can be a sign of discontentment.

  • "*Muttering*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (a sign of discontentment).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys muttering to herself while cooking.

  She enjoys muttering to herself while cooking.

  • "*Muttering* to herself while cooking" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*muttering* to herself while cooking).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He was caught in the act of muttering obscenities.

  He was caught in the act of muttering obscenities.

  • "The act of *muttering* obscenities" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (was caught) + noun phrase (the act of *muttering* obscenities).

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

• hope
• refuse
• attempt
• wish
• pretend

Example

They hope to mutter the right words during the presentation.

She refuses to mutter any complaints about her workload.

He attempted to mutter an apology, but it came out unclear.

We wish to mutter our thoughts without being judged.

They pretend to mutter secret messages to each other for fun.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• avoid
• imagine
• recommend
• consider

Example

I enjoy muttering random thoughts when I'm alone.

They avoid muttering negative comments in public.

She imagines muttering the perfect response in her mind.

Experts recommend muttering positive affirmations for self-confidence.

He considers muttering to himself as a form of self-expression.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to mutter their grievances under their breath. They like muttering their grievances under their breath.

She started to mutter unintelligibly during the meeting. She started muttering unintelligibly during the meeting.

He began to mutter to himself while walking. He began muttering to himself while walking.