To Alarm vs Alarming 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 alarm (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to alarm anyone, but there seems to be a problem.

Alarming (Gerund)

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

Example

The alarming news spread quickly throughout the community.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To alarm (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To alarm is not my intention.

  To alarm is not my intention.

  • "*To alarm*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not my intention).
• 2. Object

  She doesn't like me to alarm her about such matters.

  She doesn't like me to alarm her about such matters.

  • "Me *to alarm* her about such matters" is the object of the verb "doesn't like."
  • Noun (She) + verb (doesn't like) + noun phrase (me *to alarm* her about such matters).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need an alarm to alarm us in case of emergency.

  We need an alarm to alarm us in case of emergency.

  • "*To alarm* us in case of emergency" modifies the noun "alarm."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (an alarm *to alarm* us in case of emergency).

Alarming (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Alarming people is not the goal of this campaign.

  Alarming people is not the goal of this campaign.

  • "*Alarming* people" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not the goal of this campaign).
• 2. Object

  I can't stand alarming my family with bad news.

  I can't stand alarming my family with bad news.

  • "*Alarming* my family with bad news" is the object of the verb "can't stand."
  • Noun (I) + verb (can't stand) + gerund (*alarming* my family with bad news).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are aware of the alarming increase in crime rates.

  They are aware of the alarming increase in crime rates.

  • "Of the *alarming* increase in crime rates" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are aware of) + noun phrase (the *alarming* increase in crime rates).

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
• refuse
• attempt
• wish
• pretend

Example

They decided to alarm the authorities about the suspicious activity.

He refused to alarm his parents about the minor accident.

She attempted to alarm everyone about the approaching storm.

I wish to alarm you, but there has been a security breach.

They pretended to alarm the guests as part of a prank.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• imagine
• understand

Example

We should avoid alarming the public with unnecessary information.

He is considering alarming the authorities about the potential threat.

Experts recommend alarming the residents about the upcoming weather conditions.

Can you imagine alarming the entire neighborhood with your actions?

I understand the importance of alarming others in case of danger.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They don't like to alarm their employees unnecessarily. They don't like alarming their employees unnecessarily.

We started to alarm the building occupants during fire drills. We started alarming the building occupants during fire drills.

He began to alarm the neighborhood watch members about recent burglaries. He began alarming the neighborhood watch members about recent burglaries.