To Waste vs Wasting 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 waste (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to waste any more time.

Wasting (Gerund)

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

Example

Wasting time is not productive.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To waste (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To waste is a foolish habit.

  To waste is a foolish habit.

  • "*To waste*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a foolish habit).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to waste my money on unnecessary things.

  She wants me to waste my money on unnecessary things.

  • "Me *to waste* my money on unnecessary things" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to waste* my money on unnecessary things).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a solution to waste less time.

  He needs a solution to waste less time.

  • "*To waste* less time" modifies the noun "solution."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a solution *to waste* less time).

Wasting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Wasting money on unnecessary things is unwise.

  Wasting money on unnecessary things is unwise.

  • "*Wasting* money on unnecessary things" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (unwise).
• 2. Object

  I dislike wasting my energy on trivial matters.

  I dislike wasting my energy on trivial matters.

  • "*Wasting* my energy on trivial matters" is the object of the verb "dislike."
  • Noun (I) + verb (dislike) + gerund (*wasting* my energy on trivial matters).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of wasting time on social media.

  She has a habit of wasting time on social media.

  • "Of *wasting* time on social media" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *wasting* time on social media).

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
• wish
• choose

Example

I decided to waste no more energy on negative thoughts.

They refused to waste their time on unimportant tasks.

She attempted to waste less water by taking shorter showers.

We wish to waste less food and reduce our carbon footprint.

He chose to waste no more opportunities and seized every chance.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• imagine
• resist

Example

He avoids wasting his talents by pursuing meaningful work.

They are considering wasting no more resources on ineffective strategies.

I recommend wasting no time and starting your project immediately.

Can you imagine wasting years of your life on regrets?

She resists wasting her potential and constantly seeks self-improvement.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• stop

Example

I like to waste my weekends doing nothing. I like wasting my weekends doing nothing.

They began to waste their money on unnecessary purchases. They began wasting their money on unnecessary purchases.

He stopped to waste his time on unproductive activities. He stopped wasting his time on unproductive activities.