To Weedle vs Weedling 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 weedle (Infinitive)

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

Example

She tried to weedle her way into getting a discount.

Weedling (Gerund)

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

Example

Weedling can be seen as manipulative behavior.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To weedle (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To weedle is not an ethical way to get what you want.

  To weedle is not an ethical way to get what you want.

  • "*To weedle*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not an ethical way to get what you want).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to weedle the information out of her.

  He wants me to weedle the information out of her.

  • "Me *to weedle* the information out of her" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to weedle* the information out of her).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a persuasive argument to weedle my boss into approving my request.

  I need a persuasive argument to weedle my boss into approving my request.

  • "*To weedle* my boss into approving my request" modifies the noun "argument."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a persuasive argument *to weedle* my boss into approving my request).

Weedling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Weedling is not an effective strategy in the long run.

  Weedling is not an effective strategy in the long run.

  • "*Weedling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not an effective strategy in the long run).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy weedling my way into getting what I want.

  I enjoy weedling my way into getting what I want.

  • "*Weedling* my way into getting what I want" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*weedling* my way into getting what I want).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for weedling information out of people.

  She has a talent for weedling information out of people.

  • "For *weedling* information out of people" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *weedling* information out of 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

• attempt
• pretend
• choose
• demand
• refuse

Example

He attempted to weedle his way into the exclusive club.

She pretended to weedle her teacher into giving her extra credit.

They chose to weedle their parents into buying them a new video game.

The customer demanded to weedle a discount from the salesperson.

He refused to weedle his colleagues into doing his work for him.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• resist
• deny
• consider

Example

He avoids weedling others into doing his tasks for him.

They recommend against weedling your way into getting what you want.

She resisted weedling her way into the competition.

He denied weedling the information out of his colleague.

They are considering weedling their boss for a raise.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to weedle people into doing favors for her. She likes weedling people into doing favors for her.

We started to weedle our way into the VIP section. We started weedling our way into the VIP section.

He began to weedle his classmates into sharing their notes. He began weedling his classmates into sharing their notes.