To Rant vs Ranting 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 rant (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to rant about the poor customer service I received.

Ranting (Gerund)

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

Example

Ranting about your problems won't solve them.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To rant (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To rant is not an effective way to communicate your point.

  To rant is not an effective way to communicate your point.

  • "*To rant*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not an effective way to communicate your point).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to rant about the issue during the meeting.

  She wants me to rant about the issue during the meeting.

  • "Me *to rant* about the issue during the meeting" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to rant* about the issue during the meeting).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a platform to rant about my frustrations.

  I need a platform to rant about my frustrations.

  • "*To rant* about my frustrations" modifies the noun "platform."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a platform *to rant* about my frustrations).

Ranting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Ranting can be a cathartic release of emotions.

  Ranting can be a cathartic release of emotions.

  • "*Ranting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (a cathartic release of emotions).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy ranting about politics with my friends.

  I enjoy ranting about politics with my friends.

  • "*Ranting* about politics with my friends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*ranting* about politics with my friends).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of ranting during family gatherings.

  She has a habit of ranting during family gatherings.

  • "Of *ranting* during family gatherings" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *ranting* during family gatherings).

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

• decide
• demand
• pretend
• refuse
• attempt

Example

We decided to rant on social media to raise awareness.

They demand to rant about their grievances at the town hall meeting.

He pretended to rant about the situation to get attention.

She refused to rant about her personal life during the interview.

They attempted to rant in a calm manner, but it didn't work.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• practice

Example

He avoids ranting in public to maintain a positive image.

They recommend ranting in a journal as a form of self-expression.

I am considering ranting about the issue at the community meeting.

Do you mind ranting about your day with me?

She practices ranting in front of a mirror to improve her delivery.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to rant about politics. She likes ranting about politics.

We began to rant about the injustice we witnessed. We began ranting about the injustice we witnessed.

He continues to rant about the state of the world. He continues ranting about the state of the world.