To Stonewall vs Stonewalling 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 stonewall (Infinitive)

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

Example

The politician refused to stonewall and answered all the questions.

Stonewalling (Gerund)

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

Example

Stonewalling only creates further tension and distrust.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To stonewall (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To stonewall is not a productive strategy in negotiations.

  To stonewall is not a productive strategy in negotiations.

  • "*To stonewall*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a productive strategy in negotiations).
• 2. Object

  They want him to stonewall the investigation.

  They want him to stonewall the investigation.

  • "Him *to stonewall* the investigation" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (him *to stonewall* the investigation).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a lawyer to stonewall the opposition's questions.

  I need a lawyer to stonewall the opposition's questions.

  • "*To stonewall* the opposition's questions" modifies the noun "lawyer."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a lawyer *to stonewall* the opposition's questions).

Stonewalling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Stonewalling is not an effective communication technique.

  Stonewalling is not an effective communication technique.

  • "*Stonewalling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not an effective communication technique).
• 2. Object

  I dislike stonewalling in negotiations.

  I dislike stonewalling in negotiations.

  • "*Stonewalling* in negotiations" is the object of the verb "dislike."
  • Noun (I) + verb (dislike) + gerund (*stonewalling* in negotiations).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  The company was accused of stonewalling the investigation.

  The company was accused of stonewalling the investigation.

  • "*Stonewalling* the investigation" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (The company) + verb (was accused of) + noun phrase (*stonewalling* the investigation).

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
• deny
• pretend
• resist
• attempt

Example

He refused to stonewall and provided the necessary information.

She denied to stonewall during the investigation.

They pretended to stonewall in order to gain an advantage.

We resisted to stonewall and cooperated fully.

He attempted to stonewall but was unsuccessful.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• postpone
• recommend
• understand

Example

He avoids stonewalling and prefers open communication.

We are considering stonewalling as a last resort.

They postponed stonewalling until they had more information.

I recommend against stonewalling in negotiations.

Can you understand the reasons for stonewalling in this situation?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I don't like to stonewall in discussions. I don't like stonewalling in discussions.

They began to stonewall when confronted with tough questions. They began stonewalling when confronted with tough questions.

She continues to stonewall despite mounting pressure. She continues stonewalling despite mounting pressure.