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To Reproach vs Reproaching 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 reproach (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to reproach him for his behavior.

Reproaching (Gerund)

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

Example

Reproaching others only creates hostility.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To reproach (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To reproach someone is not always productive.

    To reproach someone is not always productive.

    • "*To reproach* someone" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adverb (not always) + adjective (productive).
  • 2Object

    She expects me to reproach her for her mistakes.

    She expects me to reproach her for her mistakes.

    • "Me *to reproach* her for her mistakes" is the object of the verb "expects."
    • Noun (She) + verb (expects) + noun phrase (me *to reproach* her for her mistakes).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    He needs a reason to reproach his colleague.

    He needs a reason to reproach his colleague.

    • "*To reproach* his colleague" modifies the noun "reason."
    • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a reason *to reproach* his colleague).

Reproaching (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Reproaching him is not going to solve anything.

    Reproaching him is not going to solve anything.

    • "*Reproaching* him" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adverb (not) + verb phrase (going to solve anything).
  • 2Object

    She regrets reproaching her friend for a small mistake.

    She regrets reproaching her friend for a small mistake.

    • "*Reproaching* her friend for a small mistake" is the object of the verb "regrets."
    • Noun (She) + verb (regrets) + gerund (*reproaching* her friend for a small mistake).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    He apologized for reproaching his colleagues.

    He apologized for reproaching his colleagues.

    • "For *reproaching* his colleagues" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (He) + verb (apologized) + preposition (for) + gerund (*reproaching* his colleagues).

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

They agreed to reproach him for his actions.

We decided to reproach them for their negligence.

She plans to reproach her boss for his unfair treatment.

I wish to reproach her for her dishonesty.

The customers demand to reproach the company for their poor service.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He avoids reproaching others in order to maintain peace.

They recommend reproaching bad behavior to promote change.

I am considering reproaching him for his disrespectful attitude.

Can you imagine reproaching your loved ones for their mistakes?

Let's discuss the consequences of reproaching our colleagues openly.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to reproach others for their incompetence. She likes reproaching others for their incompetence.

We started to reproach him for his dishonesty. We started reproaching him for his dishonesty.

He began to reproach her for her mistakes. He began reproaching her for her mistakes.

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