To Contain vs Containing 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 contain (Infinitive)

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

Example

We need to contain the spread of the virus.

Containing (Gerund)

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

Example

Containing the ingredients carefully is essential in cooking.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To contain (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To contain the situation is our top priority.

  To contain the situation is our top priority.

  • "*To contain* the situation" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (our top priority).
• 2. Object

  She wants us to contain the fire.

  She wants us to contain the fire.

  • "Us *to contain* the fire" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (us *to contain* the fire).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a bigger container to contain all the items.

  We need a bigger container to contain all the items.

  • "*To contain* all the items" modifies the noun "container."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a bigger container *to contain* all the items).

Containing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Containing all the necessary information, the report was comprehensive.

  Containing all the necessary information, the report was comprehensive.

  • "*Containing* all the necessary information" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (comprehensive).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy containing my emotions in difficult situations.

  I enjoy containing my emotions in difficult situations.

  • "*Containing* my emotions in difficult situations" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*containing* my emotions in difficult situations).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for containing her laughter.

  She has a talent for containing her laughter.

  • "For *containing* her laughter" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *containing* her laughter).

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

They plan to contain the leak as soon as possible.

I hope to contain my excitement when I receive the news.

He wants to contain his anger during the meeting.

We decided to contain the problem before it escalates.

They agreed to contain the information within the team.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• dislike
• enjoy
• imagine

Example

They avoid situations containing potential conflicts.

The doctor recommends a diet containing balanced nutrients.

I dislike foods containing artificial additives.

He enjoys recipes containing fresh ingredients.

Can you imagine a world containing only peace?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to contain my belongings in organized containers. I like containing my belongings in organized containers.

We started to contain the situation before it got worse. We started containing the situation before it got worse.

He began to contain his frustration in order to maintain professionalism. He began containing his frustration in order to maintain professionalism.