To Amplify vs Amplifying 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 amplify (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to amplify my voice so that everyone can hear me.

Amplifying (Gerund)

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

Example

Amplifying the sound makes it easier to hear.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To amplify (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To amplify is an essential part of sound engineering.

  To amplify is an essential part of sound engineering.

  • "*To amplify*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential part of sound engineering).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to amplify her presentation.

  She wants me to amplify her presentation.

  • "Me *to amplify* her presentation" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to amplify* her presentation).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a microphone to amplify our voices.

  We need a microphone to amplify our voices.

  • "*To amplify* our voices" modifies the noun "microphone."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a microphone *to amplify* our voices).

Amplifying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Amplifying the signal is crucial in telecommunications.

  Amplifying the signal is crucial in telecommunications.

  • "*Amplifying* the signal" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (crucial in telecommunications).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy amplifying my music during performances.

  I enjoy amplifying my music during performances.

  • "*Amplifying* my music during performances" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*amplifying* my music during performances).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for amplifying the voices of others.

  She has a talent for amplifying the voices of others.

  • "For *amplifying* the voices of others" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *amplifying* the voices of others).

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 amplify the music for the concert.

They hope to amplify their message through social media.

I want to amplify my guitar for the performance.

We decided to amplify the speaker's voice for better clarity.

They agreed to amplify the sound system for the event.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

He enjoys amplifying the sound effects in movies.

Experts recommend amplifying the bass for a richer audio experience.

I avoid amplifying unnecessary background noise.

Can you imagine yourself amplifying your singing voice?

We are considering amplifying the volume for the event.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to amplify her message through public speaking. She likes amplifying her message through public speaking.

He started to amplify his guitar for the concert. He started amplifying his guitar for the concert.

They began to amplify the sound system at the venue. They began amplifying the sound system at the venue.