To Sneer vs Sneering 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 sneer (Infinitive)

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

Example

He refused to sneer at his opponent's achievements.

Sneering (Gerund)

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

Example

Sneering at others is a sign of arrogance.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To sneer (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To sneer is rude and disrespectful.

  To sneer is rude and disrespectful.

  • "*To sneer*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (rude and disrespectful).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to sneer at their proposal.

  She wants me to sneer at their proposal.

  • "Me *to sneer* at their proposal" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to sneer* at their proposal).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a reason to sneer at him.

  I need a reason to sneer at him.

  • "*To sneer* at him" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reason *to sneer* at him).

Sneering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Sneering is not appreciated in a professional setting.

  Sneering is not appreciated in a professional setting.

  • "*Sneering*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not appreciated in a professional setting).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy sneering at their incompetence.

  I enjoy sneering at their incompetence.

  • "*Sneering* at their incompetence" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*sneering* at their incompetence).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of sneering at people's mistakes.

  She has a habit of sneering at people's mistakes.

  • "Of *sneering* at people's mistakes" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *sneering* at people's mistakes).

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
• pretend
• refuse
• wish
• attempt

Example

They decided to sneer at the suggestion without giving it a fair chance.

She pretended to sneer at the joke, but secretly found it funny.

He refused to sneer at their success and instead congratulated them.

I wish to sneer at their ignorance, but I'll try to educate them instead.

We attempted to sneer at their efforts, but they proved us wrong.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• mind
• recommend
• consider
• resist

Example

He avoids sneering at others because he believes in kindness.

I don't mind sneering at them if they continue to disrespect me.

They recommend against sneering at others as it creates a negative atmosphere.

We should consider the impact of sneering at someone before we do it.

She tried to resist sneering at their fashion choices, but couldn't help herself.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• try

Example

She likes to sneer at people she considers inferior. She likes sneering at people she considers inferior.

He began to sneer when he realized he was being mocked. He began sneering when he realized he was being mocked.

I will try to sneer less and be more understanding. I will try sneering less and be more understanding.