To Scold vs Scolding 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 scold (Infinitive)

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

Example

She decided to scold her child for misbehaving.

Scolding (Gerund)

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

Example

Scolding is not an effective way to teach someone.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To scold (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To scold is not an effective way to discipline children.

  To scold is not an effective way to discipline children.

  • "*To scold*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not an effective way to discipline children).
• 2. Object

  He wants his boss to scold him for making a mistake.

  He wants his boss to scold him for making a mistake.

  • "His boss *to scold* him for making a mistake" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (his boss *to scold* him for making a mistake).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a reason to scold my employees.

  I need a reason to scold my employees.

  • "*To scold* my employees" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reason *to scold* my employees).

Scolding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Scolding can lead to resentment and rebellion.

  Scolding can lead to resentment and rebellion.

  • "*Scolding*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead to) + noun phrase (resentment and rebellion).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys scolding her colleagues for their mistakes.

  She enjoys scolding her colleagues for their mistakes.

  • "*Scolding* her colleagues for their mistakes" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*scolding* her colleagues for their mistakes).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a habit of scolding others in public.

  He has a habit of scolding others in public.

  • "Of *scolding* others in public" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *scolding* others in public).

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
• refuse
• demand
• wish
• choose

Example

She plans to scold her students if they don't complete their assignments.

They refused to scold their dog for chewing on the furniture.

He demanded his employees to scold each other for their mistakes.

We wish our parents would stop to scold us all the time.

They chose to scold their child rather than using positive reinforcement.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• resist
• understand

Example

She avoids scolding her children and prefers positive discipline techniques.

They recommend avoiding scolding employees in front of others.

I am considering scolding my neighbor for their noisy parties.

He resists the urge to start scolding his team during meetings.

Can you understand the frustration of scolding your pet when they misbehave?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to scold her siblings when they annoy her. She likes scolding her siblings when they annoy her.

We began to scold our children for their bad behavior. We began scolding our children for their bad behavior.

He continues to scold his employees for their mistakes. He continues scolding his employees for their mistakes.