To Tempt vs Tempting 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 tempt (Infinitive)

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

Example

I can't resist tempting myself with a piece of chocolate cake.

Tempting (Gerund)

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

Example

Tempting others with delicious treats is her specialty.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To tempt (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To tempt someone with a forbidden fruit is a common tactic.

  To tempt someone with a forbidden fruit is a common tactic.

  • "*To tempt* someone with a forbidden fruit" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common tactic).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to tempt her with a new recipe.

  She wants me to tempt her with a new recipe.

  • "Me *to tempt* her with a new recipe" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to tempt* her with a new recipe).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a strong willpower to resist tempting desserts.

  I need a strong willpower to resist tempting desserts.

  • "*To resist tempting* desserts" modifies the noun "willpower."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong willpower *to resist tempting* desserts).

Tempting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Tempting people with mouthwatering aromas is a marketing strategy.

  Tempting people with mouthwatering aromas is a marketing strategy.

  • "*Tempting* people with mouthwatering aromas" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a marketing strategy).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy tempting my friends with homemade desserts.

  I enjoy tempting my friends with homemade desserts.

  • "*Tempting* my friends with homemade desserts" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*tempting* my friends with homemade desserts).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a weakness for tempting chocolates.

  She has a weakness for tempting chocolates.

  • "For *tempting* chocolates" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a weakness for *tempting* chocolates).

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

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

She plans to tempt him with a surprise gift.

They hope to tempt their customers with a special offer.

He wants to tempt his friends to join the adventure.

We decided to tempt fate and take a risk.

They agreed to tempt their taste buds with a new cuisine.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys tempting others with her culinary creations.

They recommend tempting flavors for an unforgettable dining experience.

I dislike the idea of tempting people into unhealthy habits.

He avoids tempting himself with sugary snacks.

Can you imagine tempting your senses with exotic spices?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to tempt her guests with unique dishes. She likes tempting her guests with unique dishes.

We started to tempt our customers with a new menu. We started tempting our customers with a new menu.

He began to tempt himself with healthier food choices. He began tempting himself with healthier food choices.