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To Punish vs Punishing Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To punish (Infinitive)

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

Example

The teacher decided to punish the students for misbehaving.

Punishing (Gerund)

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

Example

Punishing students for misbehavior is important for maintaining discipline.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To punish (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To punish is necessary for maintaining discipline in a classroom.

    To punish is necessary for maintaining discipline in a classroom.

    • "*To punish*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (necessary for maintaining discipline in a classroom).
  • 2Object

    He wants his parents to punish him for breaking the rules.

    He wants his parents to punish him for breaking the rules.

    • "His parents *to punish* him for breaking the rules" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (his parents *to punish* him for breaking the rules).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    She needs a consequence to punish her actions.

    She needs a consequence to punish her actions.

    • "*To punish* her actions" modifies the noun "consequence."
    • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a consequence *to punish* her actions).

Punishing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Punishing offenders is necessary to uphold the law.

    Punishing offenders is necessary to uphold the law.

    • "*Punishing* offenders" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (necessary to uphold the law).
  • 2Object

    They enjoy punishing rule-breakers.

    They enjoy punishing rule-breakers.

    • "*Punishing* rule-breakers" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (They) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*punishing* rule-breakers).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a talent for punishing wrongdoers.

    She has a talent for punishing wrongdoers.

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

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

Example

The judge plans to punish the criminal severely.

They refused to punish the innocent person.

She attempted to punish the wrongdoer.

I wish to punish the culprits for their actions.

He demanded to punish those responsible for the crime.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He avoids punishing others for their mistakes.

They consider punishing as a last resort.

Experts recommend punishing inappropriate behavior.

Do you mind punishing yourself for the mistake?

She resisted punishing her siblings for their mischief.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

I don't like to punish people for their mistakes. I don't like punishing people for their mistakes.

He began to punish the offenders immediately. He began punishing the offenders immediately.

We should continue to punish those who break the rules. We should continue punishing those who break the rules.

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