To Counteract vs Counteracting 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 counteract (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to counteract the negative effects of stress.

Counteracting (Gerund)

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

Example

Counteracting stress is essential for maintaining good health.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To counteract (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To counteract stress, you should try relaxation techniques.

  To counteract stress, you should try relaxation techniques.

  • "*To counteract* stress" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (should try) + noun phrase (relaxation techniques).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to counteract the harmful effects of pollution.

  She wants me to counteract the harmful effects of pollution.

  • "Me *to counteract* the harmful effects of pollution" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to counteract* the harmful effects of pollution).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a solution to counteract the problem.

  We need a solution to counteract the problem.

  • "*To counteract* the problem" modifies the noun "solution."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a solution *to counteract* the problem).

Counteracting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Counteracting stress requires effective coping mechanisms.

  Counteracting stress requires effective coping mechanisms.

  • "*Counteracting* stress" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (effective coping mechanisms).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy counteracting the negative effects of pollution.

  I enjoy counteracting the negative effects of pollution.

  • "*Counteracting* the negative effects of pollution" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*counteracting* the negative effects of pollution).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for counteracting injustice.

  She has a passion for counteracting injustice.

  • "For *counteracting* injustice" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *counteracting* injustice).

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 counteract the negative effects of aging.

I hope to counteract the damage caused by the sun.

He wants to counteract the negative impact of social media.

She decided to counteract the side effects of medication.

We agreed to counteract the harmful effects of climate change.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• understand

Example

He enjoys counteracting the harmful effects of smoking.

They recommend counteracting stress through meditation.

She avoids counteracting conflicts in the workplace.

Can you imagine yourself counteracting inequality in society?

I understand the importance of counteracting misinformation.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to counteract negative thoughts with positive affirmations. I like counteracting negative thoughts with positive affirmations.

We started to counteract the effects of aging with exercise. We started counteracting the effects of aging with exercise.

She began to counteract the negative impact of stress with mindfulness. She began counteracting the negative impact of stress with mindfulness.