To Quarrel vs Quarrelling 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

They refuse to quarrel with each other and prefer peaceful discussions.

Quarrelling (Gerund)

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

Example

Quarrelling only leads to more resentment and bitterness.

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 him to quarrel less with their neighbors.

  She wants him to quarrel less with their neighbors.

  • "Him *to quarrel* less with their neighbors" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (him *to quarrel* less with their neighbors).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a mediator to help them to quarrel less.

  He needs a mediator to help them to quarrel less.

  • "A mediator *to help* them *to quarrel* less" modifies the noun "needs."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a mediator *to help* them *to quarrel* less).

Quarrelling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Quarrelling is exhausting and drains your energy.

  Quarrelling is exhausting and drains your energy.

  • "*Quarrelling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (exhausting and drains your energy).
• 2. Object

  I dislike quarrelling with my coworkers over trivial matters.

  I dislike quarrelling with my coworkers over trivial matters.

  • "*Quarrelling* with my coworkers over trivial matters" is the object of the verb "dislike."
  • Noun (I) + verb (dislike) + gerund (*quarrelling* with my coworkers over trivial matters).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He regrets his past quarrelling with his best friend.

  He regrets his past quarrelling with his best friend.

  • "His past *quarrelling* with his best friend" is the object of the preposition "with."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (regrets) + noun phrase (his past *quarrelling* with his best friend).

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 quarrel about the division of assets in court.

I hope to quarrel less with my siblings in the future.

She wants to quarrel openly and honestly to resolve the issue.

We decided to quarrel less and focus on finding common ground.

They agreed to quarrel in private to avoid public conflict.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy quarrelling about politics and current events.

I recommend avoiding unnecessary quarrelling in relationships.

She dislikes the constant quarrelling in her household.

He avoids quarrelling by practicing effective communication skills.

Can you imagine quarrelling with your best friend over such a trivial matter?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to quarrel to express their opinions. They like quarrelling to express their opinions.

We started to quarrel after a misunderstanding. We started quarrelling after a misunderstanding.

He began to quarrel with his colleagues over work responsibilities. He began quarrelling with his colleagues over work responsibilities.