To Suffer vs Suffering 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 suffer (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to suffer in silence and will seek help.

Suffering (Gerund)

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

Example

Suffering can lead to personal growth and resilience.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To suffer (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To suffer is a part of life.

  To suffer is a part of life.

  • "*To suffer*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a part of life).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to suffer for my mistakes.

  She wants me to suffer for my mistakes.

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

  I need a solution to suffer less pain.

  I need a solution to suffer less pain.

  • "*To suffer* less pain" modifies the noun "solution."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a solution *to suffer* less pain).

Suffering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Suffering is a universal experience.

  Suffering is a universal experience.

  • "*Suffering*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a universal experience).
• 2. Object

  I hate suffering from chronic pain.

  I hate suffering from chronic pain.

  • "*Suffering* from chronic pain" is the object of the verb "hate."
  • Noun (I) + verb (hate) + gerund (*suffering* from chronic pain).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of suffering alone.

  She has a fear of suffering alone.

  • "Of *suffering* alone" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *suffering* alone).

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
• attempt
• refuse
• manage

Example

We decided to suffer in silence and deal with it on our own.

They hope to suffer less in the future with the new treatment.

He attempted to suffer through the pain without any medication.

I refuse to suffer in silence and will seek help.

She manages to suffer through her illness with a positive attitude.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• imagine
• mind
• consider

Example

He avoids suffering by taking preventive measures.

They recommend seeking professional help for suffering from mental health issues.

Can you imagine suffering from a chronic illness?

I don't mind suffering a little discomfort for the sake of progress.

She is considering therapy for suffering from anxiety.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to suffer in silence. She likes suffering in silence.

We started to suffer from the loss. We started suffering from the loss.

He began to suffer after the accident. He began suffering after the accident.