To Exacerbate vs Exacerbating 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 exacerbate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to exacerbate the situation by getting involved.

Exacerbating (Gerund)

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

Example

Exacerbating the problem will only lead to more difficulties.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To exacerbate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To exacerbate the problem would only make it worse.

  To exacerbate the problem would only make it worse.

  • "*To exacerbate* the problem" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (would) + adverb (only) + verb (make) + pronoun (it) + adjective (worse).
• 2. Object

  She asked him to exacerbate the conflict.

  She asked him to exacerbate the conflict.

  • "*To exacerbate* the conflict" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + pronoun (him) + infinitive phrase (to exacerbate the conflict).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  They need a mediator to exacerbate the tension.

  They need a mediator to exacerbate the tension.

  • "*To exacerbate* the tension" modifies the noun "mediator."
  • Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a mediator *to exacerbate* the tension).

Exacerbating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Exacerbating the issue could have serious consequences.

  Exacerbating the issue could have serious consequences.

  • "*Exacerbating* the issue" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (could have) + adjective phrase (serious consequences).
• 2. Object

  He admitted exacerbating the tension between them.

  He admitted exacerbating the tension between them.

  • "*Exacerbating* the tension between them" is the object of the verb "admitted."
  • Pronoun (He) + verb (admitted) + gerund (*exacerbating* the tension between them).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are responsible for exacerbating the problem.

  They are responsible for exacerbating the problem.

  • "*Exacerbating* the problem" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Pronoun (They) + verb (are) + adjective (responsible) + preposition (for) + gerund (*exacerbating* the problem).

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

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

He plans to exacerbate the situation with his aggressive behavior.

I hope not to exacerbate the already tense atmosphere.

We want to exacerbate the issue to find a solution.

They decided to exacerbate the conflict by taking sides.

She agreed to exacerbate the disagreement by voicing her opinion.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• delay
• imagine

Example

She avoids exacerbating the situation by staying neutral.

They are considering exacerbating the issue to bring attention to it.

Experts recommend not exacerbating the conflict further.

He delayed exacerbating the problem by seeking alternative solutions.

Can you imagine the consequences of exacerbating the already delicate situation?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I don't like to exacerbate the tension between them. I don't like exacerbating the tension between them.

They started to exacerbate the problem without realizing the consequences. They started exacerbating the problem without realizing the consequences.

He began to exacerbate the conflict by making provocative statements. He began exacerbating the conflict by making provocative statements.