• Trusting Me: "Trusting Me" is a continuous or ongoing action, implying that someone is currently in the process of trusting you. It is a verb form and indicates an ongoing state of trust.
  • Trust Me: "Trust Me" is a direct request or statement that emphasizes someone's need for trust. It is an imperative sentence and conveys a request for immediate trust.

Below are real life examples of the two statements above:

Imagine you are a teacher and you are explaining a challenging concept to your students. In this scenario, you might say, "I know this topic may seem difficult, but I want you to keep trusting me. I'll guide you through it step by step."

In this example, "trusting me" is used to encourage the students to have confidence in the teacher's ability to teach and help them understand the complex topic. It's a way of asking the students to rely on the teacher's expertise and guidance. "Trusting me" in this context means having faith in the teacher's knowledge and teaching skills, and it serves to reassure the students that they are in capable hands.
As a manager at a software development company, you've just assigned a critical project to one of your team members who is known for their coding expertise. You might say, "Trust me, John is the best person for this task."

In this context, "Trust me" is used to reassure your colleagues or team that you have considered John's capabilities and are confident in his ability to handle the project. It's a way of expressing your trust and confidence in someone's skills or judgment. This phrase is often used to persuade or reassure others when you want them to have faith in your decision or recommendation.

Read our related article: The Nuanced Differences of Faith, Trust, and Confidence

Trust is essential is any relationship, whether it be family or work related. In this Forbes article, the idea of trust in a business setting was explored and studies showed that brand trust significantly influences customer loyalty, as those who trust a brand are 88% more inclined to make repeat purchases. Similarly, when employees have a high level of trust in their employers, it results in increased motivation and reduced turnover, with 79% of such employees showing a stronger commitment to their work and a decreased likelihood of seeking new employment opportunities.

With the importance of trust in mind, let's jump right into the details of the two phrases: "trust me" or "trusting me."

What is the Difference: "Trusting Me" vs. "Trust Me"

The fundamental difference between these expressions is the purpose of the related statement.

When to Use: "Trusting Me" vs. "Trust Me"

Trusting Me

Use this form when you want to describe an ongoing action or state of trust.

The phrase "trusting me" is typically used as a participial phrase or a gerund phrase in a sentence. It can be placed at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence depending on the desired emphasis and structure.

You're trusting me to handle the project.

In the sentence "You're trusting me to handle the project," the phrase "trusting me" is used to express that the speaker is being relied upon or entrusted with the responsibility of managing or taking care of the project.
"Mendes, 34, from London, who admitted he knew 'less than nothing' about film-making when Spielberg's studio DreamWorks asked him to direct it, thanked his stars Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening 'for trusting me", and Spielberg for his tips on footwear and "letting me make the movie I wanted to make'." - The Guardian - Film
"John: The readers who care about the difference between "four" and "eight" might stop trusting me." - The New York Times
"So, I think it really gets down to them trusting me." - The New York Times

More example sentences

  1. Trusting me with your secret, I promise not to share it with anyone.
  2. Trusting me to lead the team was a wise decision, as we achieved our goals.
  3. Thank you for trusting me to babysit your children while you're away.
  4. Trusting me with your dreams and aspirations, I will do my best to support you.
  5. I appreciate you trusting me to keep your belongings safe during your absence.
  6. Trusting me to handle the finances, I will ensure everything is in order.
  7. I'm grateful for your trust in me as your confidant and advisor.
  8. Trusting me as your coach, I will help you reach your full potential.
  9. Thank you for trusting me with the responsibility of managing this project.
  10. Trusting me with your heart, I will cherish our relationship and always be there for you.

Trust Me

Employ "Trust Me" when you want to make a direct request or assert your trustworthiness.

The phrase "trust me" is typically used as an imperative phrase or an independent clause in a sentence. It is often placed at the beginning or the end of a sentence, depending on the context and the intended emphasis.

Trust me, I can fix this issue.

In this sentence, the phrase "Trust me" is used as an expression to reassure or convince someone that what the speaker is saying is true. It's often used to emphasize the speaker's credibility or their assurance that they can handle a situation.

Examples from the web

"... We'll make the best of it.Trust me, we will. But it's going to be another dogfight. ..." - The New York Times - Sports
"... a horse named Believe You Can, says he has seen other jockeys intentionally bump her during a race."Trust me," he says. "Don't do Rosie that way, because she will run over you. ..." - The New York Times - Magazine
"... I knew I was going to be one of those passengers singled out, and I was.Trust me, it's humiliating. It's even more humiliating when a colleague, in this case, my technical producer, who is a really ..." - The New York Times

More example sentences 

  1. "Trust me, this recipe is foolproof, and the dish will turn out delicious."
  2. "I've been in this business for years; trust me, I know the ins and outs of the industry."
  3. "Trust me when I say that this book is a real page-turner; you won't be able to put it down."
  4. "You might be nervous about the exam, but trust me, you've prepared well, and you'll do great."
  5. "I've seen this movie before, and trust me, the ending will surprise you."
  6. "Don't worry about the directions; trust me, I've been to that place multiple times."
  7. "Trust me, I'll take care of everything while you're away on vacation."
  8. "I've known him for years; trust me, he's one of the most trustworthy people I know."
  9. "Trust me, the view from the top of the mountain is breathtaking; it's worth the hike."
  10. "You might have doubts, but trust me, pursuing your passion is the right choice."
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Tricks to Remember the Difference:To distinguish between these expressions, remember that "Trusting Me" indicates an ongoing state, while "Trust Me" is a direct request. Think of "Trusting Me" as a continuous process and "Trust Me" as an immediate plea for trust.

Synonyms

  • Have Confidence in Me
    • When faced with the challenging project, he turned to his experienced colleague and said, "Have confidence in me; I've successfully managed similar tasks before."
  • Count on Me
    • In times of uncertainty, you can always count on me to offer support and guidance.

Antonyms

Antonyms of "Trust Me" or "Trusting Me" are phrases or expressions that convey doubt or a lack of trust. Here are some antonyms with example sentences:

  • Distrust Me
    • Please, don't distrust me; I have a solid plan for this project.
  • Question Me
    • I understand your concerns, but don't question me; I know what I'm doing.
  • Be Skeptical of Me
    • It's okay to be skeptical of me initially, but I'll prove my competence.
  • Don't Have Confidence in Me
    • If you don't have confidence in me, I'll work harder to earn your trust.
  • Be Cautious with Me
    • You may be cautious with me at first, but I'm here to prove myself.
  • I Wouldn't Rely on Me
    • Given my past performance, I wouldn't rely on me for this task.
  • I Wouldn't Bet on Me
    • Given the circumstances, I wouldn't bet on me to complete it alone.

Common Idioms

  1. Put Your Faith in Me: An idiomatic expression used to request trust and confidence.
  2. In My Good Hands: An idiomatic way to express trust in someone's ability to handle a situation.

Practice Questions

1. I've fixed many computers before, so you can trust me/trusting me to repair yours correctly.
2. Despite the initial challenges, my team is still trust me/trusting me to lead this project to success.
3. When it comes to fashion advice, you can always trust me/trusting me to help you pick the perfect outfit.
4. She is trust me/trusting me to keep your secret safe; you can confide in her.
5. I've been a chef for years, so trust me/trusting me, the meal I prepare will be delicious.
6. Despite the tough decisions, my team is still trust me/trusting me to make the right calls.
7. With your car repairs, you can trust me/trusting me; I know what I'm doing.
8. By trust me/trusting me, I will complete the assignment by the end of the week.
9. I have years of experience as a tour guide, so trust me/trusting me to show you the best places in the city.
10. They are trust me/trusting me to handle the marketing campaign, and I'm confident it will be a success.

Answer Key
1. trust me 2. trusting me 3. trust me 4. trusting me 5. trust me 6. trusting me 7. trust me 8. trusting me 9. trust me 10. trusting me

Summary

In summary, "Trusting Me" denotes an ongoing state of trust, while "Trust Me" is a direct request for trust or a declaration of trustworthiness. Understanding this distinction will enhance your ability to convey trust and confidence effectively in various contexts.


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References:

trust
1. to believe that someone is good and honest and will not harm you, or that…