To Abreact vs Abreacting 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 abreact (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to abreact and release my pent-up emotions.

Abreacting (Gerund)

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

Example

Abreacting can be a cathartic experience.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To abreact (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To abreact is a therapeutic technique used in psychology.

  To abreact is a therapeutic technique used in psychology.

  • "*To abreact*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a therapeutic technique used in psychology).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to abreact and let go of my anger.

  She wants me to abreact and let go of my anger.

  • "Me *to abreact* and let go of my anger" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to abreact* and let go of my anger).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a safe space to abreact my traumatic experiences.

  I need a safe space to abreact my traumatic experiences.

  • "*To abreact* my traumatic experiences" modifies the noun "safe space."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a safe space *to abreact* my traumatic experiences).

Abreacting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Abreacting is a way to release pent-up emotions.

  Abreacting is a way to release pent-up emotions.

  • "*Abreacting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a way to release pent-up emotions).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy abreacting and letting go of negative energy.

  I enjoy abreacting and letting go of negative energy.

  • "*Abreacting* and letting go of negative energy" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*abreacting* and letting go of negative energy).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for abreacting and exploring her emotions.

  She has a passion for abreacting and exploring her emotions.

  • "For *abreacting* and exploring her emotions" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *abreacting* and exploring her emotions).

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

• recommend
• hope
• plan
• want
• decide

Example

They recommend to abreact in therapy sessions.

I hope to abreact and find emotional healing.

She plans to abreact her feelings through art therapy.

He wants to abreact and process his past trauma.

We decided to abreact and confront our fears.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• suggest
• consider
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys abreacting through journaling.

They suggest abreacting through expressive arts.

I am considering abreacting in therapy sessions.

She avoids abreacting in public settings.

Can you imagine yourself abreacting and finding inner peace?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to abreact using relaxation techniques. She likes abreacting using relaxation techniques.

We started to abreact our suppressed memories. We started abreacting our suppressed memories.

He began to abreact his childhood trauma. He began abreacting his childhood trauma.