Be Content To Do vs. Content With Something
Cambridge directly records content + to-infinitive and content with + noun, supporting this narrow complement comparison.
Use “content to do something” when content is followed by an infinitive action. Use “content with something” when the complement names the situation or thing with which someone is satisfied.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| willing/satisfied to perform an action | content to + verb | follow “content” with the action |
| satisfied with a situation/thing | content with + noun/-ing | name what is satisfactory |
Quick tests
Action-or-situation test
Are you saying someone is content to perform an action, or satisfied with a thing/situation?
If yes: Use “content to + verb” for the action.
If no: Use “content with + noun/-ing” for the situation or thing.
Caveat: These are distinct documented complements; choose from the relation you mean.
Examples
She was content to wait until morning.
The infinitive names the action she was willing to accept.
They were content with the result.
“With” introduces the thing that satisfies them.
He is content with working from home.
An -ing phrase can follow “with” when it names the situation accepted.
Further guidance
Core difference
Cambridge documents content + to-infinitive and content with + noun as standard complement patterns.
Style Boundary
Use with before the situation or thing someone accepts; use to + base verb for an action someone is willing or satisfied to continue with.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Content (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct learner-dictionary evidence for content + to-infinitive and content with + noun.