To Chasten vs Chastening 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 chasten (Infinitive)

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

Example

I hope to chasten my behavior and become a better person.

Chastening (Gerund)

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

Example

Chastening experiences can lead to personal growth and maturity.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To chasten (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To chasten oneself requires self-reflection and humility.

  To chasten oneself requires self-reflection and humility.

  • "*To chasten* oneself" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (self-reflection and humility).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to chasten my actions and learn from my mistakes.

  She wants me to chasten my actions and learn from my mistakes.

  • "Me *to chasten* my actions and learn from my mistakes" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to chasten* my actions and learn from my mistakes).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a mentor to chasten his impulsive decisions.

  He needs a mentor to chasten his impulsive decisions.

  • "*To chasten* his impulsive decisions" modifies the noun "mentor."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a mentor *to chasten* his impulsive decisions).

Chastening (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Chastening oneself requires introspection and a willingness to change.

  Chastening oneself requires introspection and a willingness to change.

  • "*Chastening* oneself" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (introspection and a willingness to change).
• 2. Object

  I appreciate chastening feedback that helps me improve.

  I appreciate chastening feedback that helps me improve.

  • "*Chastening* feedback" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
  • Noun (I) + verb (appreciate) + gerund (*chastening* feedback).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of chastening and avoids confrontations.

  She has a fear of chastening and avoids confrontations.

  • "Of *chastening*" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *chastening*).

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
• struggle
• attempt
• choose
• learn

Example

We decided to chasten our spending habits and save more money.

She struggles to chasten her anger and respond calmly in difficult situations.

He attempted to chasten his ego and be more humble.

They chose to chasten themselves and take responsibility for their actions.

I have learned to chasten my desires and prioritize my goals.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• avoid
• imagine
• practice
• discuss

Example

They consider chastening their actions before making decisions.

He avoids chastening situations that may lead to conflicts.

Can you imagine the chastening experience of facing your fears?

She practices chastening her impulsive reactions and responding thoughtfully.

We often discuss the chastening effects of failure and how it shapes us.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

He would like to chasten himself and develop self-discipline. He would like chastening experiences to help him grow.

She began to chasten her behavior after realizing its negative impact. She began chastening herself to become a better person.

They will continue to chasten their actions and strive for self-improvement. They will continue chastening themselves to become better individuals.