To Shrug vs Shrugging 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 shrug (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to shrug and move on.

Shrugging (Gerund)

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

Example

Shrugging is a nonverbal way of expressing uncertainty or indifference.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To shrug (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To shrug is a common gesture of indifference or uncertainty.

  To shrug is a common gesture of indifference or uncertainty.

  • "*To shrug*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common gesture of indifference or uncertainty).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to shrug and let it go.

  She wants me to shrug and let it go.

  • "Me *to shrug* and let it go" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to shrug* and let it go).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a reason to shrug off this disappointment.

  I need a reason to shrug off this disappointment.

  • "*To shrug* off this disappointment" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reason *to shrug* off this disappointment).

Shrugging (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Shrugging is often used to show that someone doesn't know or care.

  Shrugging is often used to show that someone doesn't know or care.

  • "*Shrugging*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (often used to show that someone doesn't know or care).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy shrugging off other people's opinions.

  I enjoy shrugging off other people's opinions.

  • "*Shrugging* off other people's opinions" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*shrugging* off other people's opinions).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of shrugging in response to difficult questions.

  She has a habit of shrugging in response to difficult questions.

  • "Of *shrugging* in response to difficult questions" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *shrugging* in response to difficult questions).

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
• hope
• want
• attempt
• pretend

Example

I decided to shrug and move on with my life.

They hope to shrug and forget about the past.

He wants to shrug and accept the situation.

We attempted to shrug off the criticism and stay positive.

She pretended to shrug as if it didn't bother her.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• imagine
• consider
• mind

Example

He avoids shrugging when asked about his plans.

They recommend shrugging off small problems.

Can you imagine yourself shrugging in the face of adversity?

I am considering shrugging and moving on from this situation.

Do you mind shrugging if I ask you a personal question?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to shrug and let things unfold naturally. I like shrugging and not worrying about every little thing.

We started to shrug off negative comments. We started shrugging off negative comments.

He began to shrug whenever someone criticized him. He began shrugging whenever someone criticized him.