To Patronize vs Patronizing 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 patronize (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to patronize that store because of their unethical practices.

Patronizing (Gerund)

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

Example

Patronizing others is not a respectful behavior.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To patronize (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To patronize a local business is important for the community.

  To patronize a local business is important for the community.

  • "*To patronize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important for the community).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to patronize her new restaurant.

  She wants me to patronize her new restaurant.

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

  We need a reliable supplier to patronize our business.

  We need a reliable supplier to patronize our business.

  • "*To patronize* our business" modifies the noun "supplier."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reliable supplier *to patronize* our business).

Patronizing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Patronizing people can make them feel belittled.

  Patronizing people can make them feel belittled.

  • "*Patronizing* people" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can make) + pronoun (them) + verb (feel) + adjective (belittled).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy patronizing local businesses.

  I enjoy patronizing local businesses.

  • "*Patronizing* local businesses" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*patronizing* local businesses).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of patronizing high-end stores.

  She has a habit of patronizing high-end stores.

  • "Of *patronizing* high-end stores" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *patronizing* high-end stores).

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

• agree
• hope
• plan
• want
• decide

Example

They agreed to patronize the local farmers' market for fresh produce.

I hope to patronize more sustainable businesses in the future.

We plan to patronize the newly opened art gallery this weekend.

He wants to patronize small businesses instead of big corporations.

She decided to patronize the charity event to support a good cause.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• postpone
• mind

Example

He avoids patronizing businesses with poor customer service.

They recommend patronizing local artisans for unique products.

I am considering patronizing a different hair salon for a change.

She postponed patronizing the concert due to bad weather.

Do you mind patronizing online retailers instead of physical stores?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to patronize small family-owned businesses. She likes patronizing small family-owned businesses.

They started to patronize the local library for their reading needs. They started patronizing the local library for their reading needs.

He began to patronize the neighborhood coffee shop every morning. He began patronizing the neighborhood coffee shop every morning.