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 bear to tolerate his rude behavior anymore.

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 only enables it to continue.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To tolerate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To tolerate is not always the best solution to a problem.

  To tolerate is not always the best solution to a problem.

  • "*To tolerate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not always the best solution to a problem).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to tolerate her constant complaining.

  She wants me to tolerate her constant complaining.

  • "Me *to tolerate* her constant complaining" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to tolerate* her constant complaining).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a leader to tolerate different opinions.

  We need a leader to tolerate different opinions.

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

Tolerating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Tolerating negativity affects your mental well-being.

  Tolerating negativity affects your mental well-being.

  • "*Tolerating* negativity" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (affects) + noun phrase (your mental well-being).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys tolerating challenging situations.

  She enjoys tolerating challenging situations.

  • "*Tolerating* challenging situations" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*tolerating* challenging situations).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for tolerating difficult people.

  He has a talent for tolerating difficult people.

  • "For *tolerating* difficult people" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *tolerating* difficult people).

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
• decide
• attempt
• demand
• wish

Example

He refuses to tolerate any form of discrimination.

We decided to tolerate the noise for one more night.

She attempted to tolerate the pain, but it became unbearable.

They demand to tolerate their freedom of speech.

I wish to tolerate his constant interruptions.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• imagine
• mind

Example

They avoid tolerating toxic relationships.

I am considering tolerating the inconvenience for now.

Experts recommend tolerating discomfort during physical therapy.

Can you imagine tolerating such a demanding job?

Do you mind tolerating the noise in this area?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I don't like to tolerate disrespectful behavior. I don't like tolerating disrespectful behavior.

They started to tolerate each other's differences. They started tolerating each other's differences.

He began to tolerate the pain without complaint. He began tolerating the pain without complaint.