What Does It Mean?
The phrase tolerate doing something is used when someone endures or puts up with an action they don’t particularly like or enjoy—but they allow it to happen without strong objection.
In English grammar, the verb tolerate is typically followed by a noun or a gerund (verb + -ing). That’s why we say “tolerate doing” rather than “tolerate to do.”
Examples in Context
- I can’t tolerate waiting in long lines.
- She barely tolerates working overtime.
- He doesn’t tolerate smoking in his house.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error among English learners is using the infinitive form after tolerate. For example:
Incorrect: I can’t tolerate to wait.
Correct: I can’t tolerate waiting.
Why This Matters
Understanding verb patterns like this helps you speak and write more naturally in English. Using the correct form—tolerate + -ing—shows fluency and attention to grammatical detail.