Criticize Someone For Doing vs. Criticize Someone To Do
Cambridge gives “be criticized for” with -ing examples such as being criticized for failing to act, supporting for + -ing when naming the conduct under criticism.
Use “criticize someone for doing something” when naming the action you disapprove of. “Criticize someone to do” is not the parallel complement construction.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| the following action is what you disapprove of | criticize someone for doing something | Use for + -ing to name the criticized conduct. |
| a noun names the reason for criticism | criticize someone for + noun | Use the same “for” relation. |
| a to-infinitive states a separate purpose | criticize someone to + verb | Possible only as a purpose adjunct, not as the parallel complement naming the conduct. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Does the following action name what the person is being criticized for?
If yes: Use “criticize someone for doing …”.
If no: If a to-infinitive appears, check whether it expresses a separate purpose rather than the criticized conduct.
Caveat: Do not treat a purpose infinitive after the clause as an equivalent complement to “for + -ing.”
Examples
They criticized the manager for ignoring the warning.
The -ing clause names the conduct under criticism.
She was criticized for the delay.
A noun can name the reason for criticism.
He criticized the draft to encourage revision.
The infinitive states purpose, not the conduct being criticized.
Further guidance
Boundary
A to-infinitive can occur as a purpose adjunct, as in criticizing someone to provoke change, but that meaning differs from the for + -ing complement that names the criticized conduct.
Construction
The conventional complement is criticize + person + for + noun/-ing clause when the following action is the reason, conduct, or circumstance being referred to.
Decision
Use “criticize someone for doing something” when naming the action you disapprove of. “Criticize someone to do” is not the parallel complement construction.
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.
- criticize — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Regional spelling evidence: criticize, with UK usually criticise