To Abstain vs Abstaining 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 abstain (Infinitive)

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

Example

I promise to abstain from eating junk food.

Abstaining (Gerund)

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

Example

Abstaining from smoking is beneficial for your health.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To abstain (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To abstain is a personal choice.

  To abstain is a personal choice.

  • "*To abstain*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a personal choice).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to abstain from drinking alcohol.

  She wants me to abstain from drinking alcohol.

  • "Me *to abstain* from drinking alcohol" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to abstain* from drinking alcohol).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a strong willpower to abstain from smoking.

  He needs a strong willpower to abstain from smoking.

  • "*To abstain* from smoking" modifies the noun "willpower."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a strong willpower *to abstain* from smoking).

Abstaining (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Abstaining from gossiping is a sign of maturity.

  Abstaining from gossiping is a sign of maturity.

  • "*Abstaining*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of maturity).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy abstaining from social media on the weekends.

  I enjoy abstaining from social media on the weekends.

  • "*Abstaining* from social media on the weekends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*abstaining* from social media on the weekends).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are proud of abstaining from unhealthy habits.

  They are proud of abstaining from unhealthy habits.

  • "Of *abstaining* from unhealthy habits" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are) + noun phrase (proud of *abstaining* from unhealthy habits).

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

• decide
• attempt
• wish
• struggle
• manage

Example

They decided to abstain from consuming sugar for a month.

I attempted to abstain from using social media for a week.

We wish to abstain from negative thoughts and focus on positivity.

She struggles to abstain from eating sweets.

He managed to abstain from watching TV all day.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• mind
• consider
• resist

Example

She avoids abstaining from her responsibilities.

Doctors recommend abstaining from alcohol for a healthy liver.

Do you mind abstaining from using your phone during the meeting?

We are considering abstaining from processed foods in our diet.

He resists abstaining from indulging in desserts.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to abstain from unnecessary expenses. I like abstaining from unnecessary expenses.

They started to abstain from caffeine. They started abstaining from caffeine.

She began to abstain from eating meat. She began abstaining from eating meat.