To Quarrel vs Quarreling 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 quarrel (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to quarrel with my sister because it only leads to more problems.

Quarreling (Gerund)

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

Example

Quarreling only leads to more conflicts and misunderstandings.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To quarrel (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To quarrel is not a productive way to resolve conflicts.

  To quarrel is not a productive way to resolve conflicts.

  • "*To quarrel*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a productive way to resolve conflicts).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to quarrel with her ex-boyfriend.

  She wants me to quarrel with her ex-boyfriend.

  • "Me *to quarrel* with her ex-boyfriend" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to quarrel* with her ex-boyfriend).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a peaceful environment to quarrel less.

  I need a peaceful environment to quarrel less.

  • "*To quarrel* less" modifies the noun "environment."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a peaceful environment *to quarrel* less).

Quarreling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Quarreling with friends can strain relationships.

  Quarreling with friends can strain relationships.

  • "*Quarreling* with friends" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can strain) + noun phrase (relationships).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy quarreling with my siblings for fun.

  I enjoy quarreling with my siblings for fun.

  • "*Quarreling* with my siblings" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*quarreling* with my siblings).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are tired of quarreling with each other.

  They are tired of quarreling with each other.

  • "*Quarreling* with each other" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are tired of) + noun phrase (*quarreling* with each other).

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
• attempt
• pretend
• demand
• seem

Example

They refuse to quarrel over trivial matters.

He attempted to quarrel with his boss, but it didn't end well.

She pretended to quarrel with her friend to play a prank.

The customer demanded to quarrel with the manager about the poor service.

It seems to quarrel is their favorite pastime.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• postpone
• understand

Example

He avoids quarreling with his coworkers to maintain a positive work environment.

Experts recommend finding healthier ways of communication instead of quarreling.

They consider quarreling a waste of time and energy.

We should postpone quarreling until we calm down.

It's important to understand the root causes of quarreling to find solutions.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I don't like to quarrel with my friends. I don't like quarreling with my friends.

They started to quarrel over a trivial matter. They started quarreling over a trivial matter.

He began to quarrel with his neighbor about the noise. He began quarreling with his neighbor about the noise.