To Tolerate vs Tolerating 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 tolerate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I can't tolerate to tolerate disrespectful behavior.

Tolerating (Gerund)

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

Example

Tolerating disrespectful behavior is not healthy.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To tolerate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To tolerate such behavior is unacceptable.

  To tolerate such behavior is unacceptable.

  • "*To tolerate* such behavior" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (unacceptable).
• 2. Object

  She wants him to tolerate her opinions.

  She wants him to tolerate her opinions.

  • "Him *to tolerate* her opinions" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (him *to tolerate* her opinions).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a leader to tolerate different viewpoints.

  We need a leader to tolerate different viewpoints.

  • "*To tolerate* different viewpoints" modifies the noun "leader."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a leader *to tolerate* different viewpoints).

Tolerating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Tolerating such behavior can have negative consequences.

  Tolerating such behavior can have negative consequences.

  • "*Tolerating* such behavior" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can have) + noun phrase (negative consequences).
• 2. Object

  I dislike tolerating rude comments.

  I dislike tolerating rude comments.

  • "*Tolerating* rude comments" is the object of the verb "dislike."
  • Noun (I) + verb (dislike) + gerund (*tolerating* rude comments).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a hard time tolerating criticism.

  He has a hard time tolerating criticism.

  • "A hard time *tolerating* criticism" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a hard time *tolerating* criticism).

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
• demand
• pretend
• wish

Example

He decided to tolerate the noise for the sake of peace.

They refuse to tolerate any form of discrimination.

We demand to tolerate equal rights for all.

She pretends to tolerate his behavior, but she's actually bothered by it.

I wish to tolerate spicy food, but my taste buds can't handle it.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• risk

Example

She avoids tolerating toxic people in her life.

They recommend tolerating discomfort for personal growth.

I'm considering tolerating the inconvenience for the sake of saving money.

Do you mind tolerating the noise from the construction site?

He risks tolerating criticism in order to speak his truth.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to tolerate different opinions. They like tolerating different opinions.

We started to tolerate each other's flaws. We started tolerating each other's flaws.

He began to tolerate the discomfort for the greater good. He began tolerating the discomfort for the greater good.