To Spoil vs Spoiling 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 spoil (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to spoil the surprise party.

Spoiling (Gerund)

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

Example

Spoiling a child can lead to bad behavior.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To spoil (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To spoil the surprise would be a shame.

  To spoil the surprise would be a shame.

  • "*To spoil* the surprise" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (would be) + noun phrase (a shame).
• 2. Object

  She asked me to spoil the ending of the movie.

  She asked me to spoil the ending of the movie.

  • "Me *to spoil* the ending of the movie" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to spoil* the ending of the movie).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a cooler to spoil the food.

  He needs a cooler to spoil the food.

  • "*To spoil* the food" modifies the noun "cooler."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a cooler *to spoil* the food).

Spoiling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Spoiling children is not a good parenting strategy.

  Spoiling children is not a good parenting strategy.

  • "*Spoiling* children" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a good parenting strategy).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys spoiling her grandchildren.

  She enjoys spoiling her grandchildren.

  • "*Spoiling* her grandchildren" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*spoiling* her grandchildren).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a habit of spoiling his pets.

  He has a habit of spoiling his pets.

  • "Of *spoiling* his pets" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *spoiling* his pets).

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

• hope
• refuse
• want
• choose
• decide

Example

They hope to spoil the surprise for her birthday.

He refused to spoil the ending of the book.

We want to spoil the surprise by accident.

She chose to spoil the surprise party location.

I decided to spoil the surprise with a special gift.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• risk

Example

They avoid spoiling their children with too many toys.

She is considering spoiling herself with a luxurious vacation.

Experts recommend not spoiling babies with excessive attention.

I don't mind spoiling myself once in a while.

He risks spoiling the surprise by being careless.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I like to spoil myself with indulgent treats. I like spoiling myself with indulgent treats.

They began to spoil their children after becoming wealthy. They began spoiling their children after becoming wealthy.

She continues to spoil her dog with new toys. She continues spoiling her dog with new toys.