To Shirk vs Shirking 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 shirk (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to shirk my responsibilities at work.

Shirking (Gerund)

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

Example

Shirking your responsibilities will lead to negative consequences.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To shirk (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To shirk is not a good work ethic.

  To shirk is not a good work ethic.

  • "*To shirk*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a good work ethic).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to shirk my duties.

  She wants me to shirk my duties.

  • "Me *to shirk* my duties" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to shirk* my duties).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a team member to help and not to shirk their responsibilities.

  I need a team member to help and not to shirk their responsibilities.

  • "*To help*" and "*to shirk* their responsibilities" modify the noun "team member."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a team member *to help* and not *to shirk* their responsibilities).

Shirking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Shirking is an unethical behavior in the workplace.

  Shirking is an unethical behavior in the workplace.

  • "*Shirking*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an unethical behavior in the workplace).
• 2. Object

  I dislike shirking my duties.

  I dislike shirking my duties.

  • "*Shirking* my duties" is the object of the verb "dislike."
  • Noun (I) + verb (dislike) + gerund (*shirking* my duties).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She received a warning for shirking her responsibilities.

  She received a warning for shirking her responsibilities.

  • "For *shirking* her responsibilities" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (received) + noun phrase (a warning for *shirking* her responsibilities).

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
• struggle
• determine

Example

They refuse to shirk their duties and always complete their tasks.

He attempted to shirk his responsibilities, but his manager caught him.

She pretends to shirk her work to avoid additional tasks.

We struggle to shirk our responsibilities due to the high workload.

They determined to shirk their duties and focus on personal projects instead.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• resist
• understand

Example

He avoids shirking his responsibilities by prioritizing tasks.

They consider shirking as an unacceptable behavior in the workplace.

I recommend against shirking your duties to maintain a good reputation.

She resists shirking her responsibilities and always fulfills them.

We understand the consequences of shirking and take our duties seriously.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I like to shirk my responsibilities. I like shirking my responsibilities.

He began to shirk his duties recently. He began shirking his duties recently.

She continues to shirk her work despite warnings. She continues shirking her work despite warnings.