To Cease vs Ceasing 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 cease (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to cease my efforts until I succeed.

Ceasing (Gerund)

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

Example

Ceasing all activities is necessary for a peaceful mind.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To cease (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To cease is the best option in this situation.

  To cease is the best option in this situation.

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

  They want us to cease all communication with them.

  They want us to cease all communication with them.

  • "Us *to cease* all communication with them" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to cease* all communication with them).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a break to cease his constant work.

  He needs a break to cease his constant work.

  • "*To cease* his constant work" modifies the noun "break."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a break *to cease* his constant work).

Ceasing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Ceasing is the first step towards healing.

  Ceasing is the first step towards healing.

  • "*Ceasing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the first step towards healing).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy ceasing my worries through meditation.

  I enjoy ceasing my worries through meditation.

  • "*Ceasing* my worries through meditation" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*ceasing* my worries through meditation).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are committed to ceasing all illegal activities.

  They are committed to ceasing all illegal activities.

  • "*Ceasing* all illegal activities" is the object of the preposition "to."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are committed to) + noun phrase (*ceasing* all illegal activities).

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

• agree
• refuse
• determine
• hope
• plan

Example

We agreed to cease all hostilities and negotiate a peace treaty.

She refuses to cease her protest until her demands are met.

They determined to cease the project due to budget constraints.

I hope to cease feeling this way soon.

He plans to cease his involvement in the company after retirement.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• imagine

Example

She avoids ceasing her exercise routine even on busy days.

We are considering ceasing our subscription to save money.

Experts recommend gradually ceasing the use of addictive substances.

I don't mind ceasing my social media usage for a week.

Can you imagine ceasing all contact with your friends?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

They like to cease all conflicts and live in harmony. They like ceasing all conflicts and living in harmony.

I began to cease worrying about things beyond my control. I began ceasing to worry about things beyond my control.

She continues to cease engaging in negative self-talk. She continues ceasing to engage in negative self-talk.