To Collapse vs Collapsing 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 collapse (Infinitive)

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

Example

The old building is about to collapse due to its deteriorating structure.

Collapsing (Gerund)

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

Example

Collapsing buildings pose a serious threat to public safety.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To collapse (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To collapse would be a disaster for the company.

  To collapse would be a disaster for the company.

  • "*To collapse*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (would be) + noun phrase (a disaster for the company).
• 2. Object

  He doesn't want the bridge to collapse during rush hour.

  He doesn't want the bridge to collapse during rush hour.

  • "The bridge *to collapse* during rush hour" is the object of the verb "doesn't want."
  • Noun (He) + verb (doesn't want) + noun phrase (the bridge *to collapse* during rush hour).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a strong support to prevent the building from collapsing.

  We need a strong support to prevent the building from collapsing.

  • "*To prevent the building from collapsing*" modifies the noun "support."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong support *to prevent the building from collapsing*).

Collapsing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Collapsing is a common problem in old structures.

  Collapsing is a common problem in old structures.

  • "*Collapsing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common problem in old structures).
• 2. Object

  We witnessed the collapsing of the bridge.

  We witnessed the collapsing of the bridge.

  • "The *collapsing* of the bridge" is the object of the verb "witnessed."
  • Noun (We) + verb (witnessed) + gerund (the *collapsing* of the bridge).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a fear of collapsing structures.

  He has a fear of collapsing structures.

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

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
• refuse
• decide
• hope
• manage

Example

They are planning to collapse the old structure and build a new one.

She refused to collapse under the pressure of the situation.

He decided to collapse the tent and move to a different campsite.

I hope not to collapse during my presentation.

They managed to collapse the wall without causing any damage.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• imagine
• postpone

Example

They avoid collapsing buildings by conducting regular inspections.

Experts recommend immediate action to prevent collapsing structures.

We are considering the risks of collapsing under pressure.

Can you imagine the chaos caused by collapsing buildings?

They decided to postpone the demolition to avoid collapsing adjacent structures.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I don't like to collapse under pressure. I don't like collapsing under pressure.

She started to collapse the cardboard boxes. She started collapsing the cardboard boxes.

They began to collapse the old building. They began collapsing the old building.