To Ameliorate vs Ameliorating 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 ameliorate (Infinitive)

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

Example

We must take action to ameliorate the current situation.

Ameliorating (Gerund)

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

Example

Ameliorating the situation requires collective effort.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To ameliorate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To ameliorate the problem, we need to find a solution.

  To ameliorate the problem, we need to find a solution.

  • "*To ameliorate* the problem" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the problem).
• 2. Object

  They want us to ameliorate the conditions in the community.

  They want us to ameliorate the conditions in the community.

  • "Us *to ameliorate* the conditions in the community" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to ameliorate* the conditions in the community).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a plan to ameliorate the negative effects.

  He needs a plan to ameliorate the negative effects.

  • "*To ameliorate* the negative effects" modifies the noun "plan."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a plan *to ameliorate* the negative effects).

Ameliorating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Ameliorating the problem is our top priority.

  Ameliorating the problem is our top priority.

  • "*Ameliorating* the problem" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (our top priority).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy ameliorating the lives of others through my work.

  I enjoy ameliorating the lives of others through my work.

  • "*Ameliorating* the lives of others" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*ameliorating* the lives of others).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for ameliorating social inequalities.

  She has a passion for ameliorating social inequalities.

  • "For *ameliorating* social inequalities" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *ameliorating* social inequalities).

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
• determine
• refuse
• wish

Example

We decided to ameliorate the situation by implementing new policies.

She attempted to ameliorate the problem, but her efforts were unsuccessful.

They determined to ameliorate the conditions in the neighborhood.

He refused to ameliorate the situation, causing further harm.

I wish to ameliorate the effects of climate change.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• delay
• resist

Example

They recommend ameliorating the situation through diplomatic negotiations.

We are considering ameliorating the issue by implementing new policies.

He avoids ameliorating the problem, hoping it will resolve on its own.

The company decided to delay ameliorating the situation until they have more resources.

She resisted ameliorating the conditions, leading to further discontent.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

We would like to ameliorate the situation as soon as possible. We would like ameliorating the current situation.

He started to ameliorate the problem by proposing innovative solutions. He started ameliorating the problem by proposing innovative solutions.

They began to ameliorate the conditions by implementing new policies. They began ameliorating the conditions by implementing new policies.