To Pussyfoot vs Pussyfooting 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 pussyfoot (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to pussyfoot around the issue and prefer to address it directly.

Pussyfooting (Gerund)

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

Example

Pussyfooting around the issue only prolongs the resolution.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To pussyfoot (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To pussyfoot is not an effective strategy in business.

  To pussyfoot is not an effective strategy in business.

  • "*To pussyfoot*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not an effective strategy in business).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to pussyfoot around the problem.

  She wants me to pussyfoot around the problem.

  • "Me *to pussyfoot* around the problem" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to pussyfoot* around the problem).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a straightforward approach to pussyfoot around the issue.

  I need a straightforward approach to pussyfoot around the issue.

  • "*To pussyfoot* around the issue" modifies the noun "approach."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a straightforward approach *to pussyfoot* around the issue).

Pussyfooting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Pussyfooting is not a productive way to handle problems.

  Pussyfooting is not a productive way to handle problems.

  • "*Pussyfooting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a productive way to handle problems).
• 2. Object

  I dislike pussyfooting when it comes to decision-making.

  I dislike pussyfooting when it comes to decision-making.

  • "*Pussyfooting* when it comes to decision-making" is the object of the verb "dislike."
  • Noun (I) + verb (dislike) + gerund (*pussyfooting* when it comes to decision-making).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a habit of pussyfooting around important issues.

  They have a habit of pussyfooting around important issues.

  • "Of *pussyfooting* around important issues" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a habit of *pussyfooting* around important issues).

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

• refuse
• plan
• hope
• want
• decide

Example

They refuse to pussyfoot when it comes to making tough decisions.

We plan to pussyfoot around the sensitive topic during the meeting.

He hopes to pussyfoot through the negotiation process without causing any conflicts.

She wants to pussyfoot around the issue instead of addressing it head-on.

They decided to pussyfoot in order to avoid confrontation.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• imagine

Example

He avoids pussyfooting in negotiations and prefers direct communication.

We should consider pussyfooting as a counterproductive behavior.

Experts recommend avoiding pussyfooting in professional relationships.

Do you mind pussyfooting around the topic for now?

It's hard to imagine pussyfooting as an effective approach to conflict resolution.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to pussyfoot around controversial topics. I like pussyfooting when dealing with difficult situations.

They started to pussyfoot after facing criticism. They started pussyfooting in order to avoid confrontations.

She began to pussyfoot around the issue to maintain harmony. She began pussyfooting to prevent conflicts.