To Sue vs Suing 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 sue (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to sue my neighbor for the damages.

Suing (Gerund)

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

Example

Suing can be a lengthy and expensive process.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To sue (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To sue is a legal action that can be taken.

  To sue is a legal action that can be taken.

  • "*To sue*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a legal action that can be taken).
• 2. Object

  She wants her lawyer to sue the company.

  She wants her lawyer to sue the company.

  • "Her lawyer *to sue* the company" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (her lawyer *to sue* the company).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a strong case to sue the defendant.

  I need a strong case to sue the defendant.

  • "*To sue* the defendant" modifies the noun "case."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong case *to sue* the defendant).

Suing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Suing is a common recourse for victims of personal injury.

  Suing is a common recourse for victims of personal injury.

  • "*Suing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common recourse for victims of personal injury).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy suing unethical businesses.

  I enjoy suing unethical businesses.

  • "*Suing* unethical businesses" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*suing* unethical businesses).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for suing corrupt politicians.

  She has a passion for suing corrupt politicians.

  • "For *suing* corrupt politicians" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *suing* corrupt politicians).

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
• refuse
• attempt
• demand
• wish

Example

They decided to sue the negligent party for compensation.

He refuses to sue his former employer for wrongful termination.

We attempted to sue the landlord for breach of contract.

The victim's family demanded to sue the responsible party for negligence.

I wish to sue the company for unfair business practices.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• delay
• imagine

Example

He avoids suing his clients for non-payment.

They are considering suing the manufacturer for product defects.

I recommend consulting an attorney before suing for medical malpractice.

She delayed suing the insurance company until she gathered more evidence.

Can you imagine yourself suing a celebrity for invasion of privacy?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to sue companies that engage in deceptive practices. She likes suing companies that engage in deceptive practices.

We began to sue the contractor for breach of contract. We began suing the contractor for breach of contract.

He continues to sue for compensation. He continues suing for compensation.