To Vex vs Vexing 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 vex (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to vex myself with unnecessary worries.

Vexing (Gerund)

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

Example

Vexing situations can be difficult to handle.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To vex (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To vex is not the solution to your problems.

  To vex is not the solution to your problems.

  • "*To vex*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not the solution to your problems).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to vex him with her words.

  She wants me to vex him with her words.

  • "Me *to vex* him with her words" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to vex* him with her words).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a break to vex his mind.

  He needs a break to vex his mind.

  • "*To vex* his mind" modifies the noun "break."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a break *to vex* his mind).

Vexing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Vexing others won't solve your problems.

  Vexing others won't solve your problems.

  • "*Vexing* others" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (won't solve) + noun phrase (your problems).
• 2. Object

  I dislike vexing people with my complaints.

  I dislike vexing people with my complaints.

  • "*Vexing* people with my complaints" is the object of the verb "dislike."
  • Noun (I) + verb (dislike) + gerund (*vexing* people with my complaints).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for vexing others.

  She has a talent for vexing others.

  • "For *vexing* others" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *vexing* others).

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
• attempt
• choose
• wish
• pretend

Example

They refuse to vex themselves with unnecessary drama.

She attempted to vex him by criticizing his work.

We choose to vex ourselves with trivial matters.

He wishes to vex his enemies with his success.

They pretend to vex each other for entertainment.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• understand

Example

He avoids vexing his coworkers with his constant complaints.

They consider vexing situations before making a decision.

I recommend avoiding vexing conversations during family gatherings.

Do you mind vexing me with your constant questions?

She understands the consequences of vexing others.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

He likes to vex his opponents with mind games. He likes vexing his opponents with mind games.

They began to vex each other during the argument. They began vexing each other during the argument.

We will continue to vex our competitors with our innovative ideas. We will continue vexing our competitors with our innovative ideas.