To Provoke vs Provoking 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 provoke (Infinitive)

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

Example

He refused to provoke a fight with his opponent.

Provoking (Gerund)

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

Example

Provoking others will only lead to conflict.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To provoke (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To provoke is not the solution to the problem.

  To provoke is not the solution to the problem.

  • "*To provoke*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not the solution to the problem).
• 2. Object

  She wants him to provoke a reaction from the audience.

  She wants him to provoke a reaction from the audience.

  • "Him *to provoke* a reaction from the audience" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (him *to provoke* a reaction from the audience).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a reason to provoke him.

  I need a reason to provoke him.

  • "*To provoke* him" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reason *to provoke* him).

Provoking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Provoking others is not a wise decision.

  Provoking others is not a wise decision.

  • "*Provoking* others" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a wise decision).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy provoking thought through my artwork.

  I enjoy provoking thought through my artwork.

  • "*Provoking* thought through my artwork" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*provoking* thought through my artwork).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for provoking laughter.

  She has a talent for provoking laughter.

  • "For *provoking* laughter" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *provoking* laughter).

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

They plan to provoke a response from the authorities.

We hope to provoke a change in society.

He wants to provoke a discussion on the topic.

She decided to provoke a reaction with her performance.

They agreed to provoke a debate during the conference.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys provoking reactions from his audience.

They recommend avoiding provoking unnecessary conflicts.

I dislike the act of provoking others.

She avoids provoking her siblings during arguments.

Can you imagine provoking such a strong response?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to provoke discussions and debates. I like provoking discussions and debates.

They started to provoke outrage with their controversial statements. They started provoking outrage with their controversial statements.

He began to provoke his opponents with strategic moves. He began provoking his opponents with strategic moves.