To Dampen vs Dampening 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 dampen (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to dampen the noise by using soundproofing materials.

Dampening (Gerund)

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

Example

Dampening the sound will create a more peaceful environment.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To dampen (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To dampen the enthusiasm of the team would be counterproductive.

  To dampen the enthusiasm of the team would be counterproductive.

  • "*To dampen* the enthusiasm of the team" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (would be) + adjective (counterproductive).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to dampen the lights in the room.

  He wants me to dampen the lights in the room.

  • "Me *to dampen* the lights in the room" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to dampen* the lights in the room).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a curtain to dampen the outside noise.

  We need a curtain to dampen the outside noise.

  • "*To dampen* the outside noise" modifies the noun "curtain."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a curtain *to dampen* the outside noise).

Dampening (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Dampening the vibrations is crucial for stability.

  Dampening the vibrations is crucial for stability.

  • "*Dampening* the vibrations" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (crucial for stability).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy dampening the lights in the room.

  I enjoy dampening the lights in the room.

  • "*Dampening* the lights in the room" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*dampening* the lights in the room).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for dampening the noise.

  She has a talent for dampening the noise.

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

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

She plans to dampen the impact of the news on her parents.

They hope to dampen the tension between the two parties.

He wants to dampen the effect of the bright lights.

We decided to dampen the criticism with positive feedback.

They agreed to dampen the volume of the music.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys dampening the sound during meditation sessions.

They recommend dampening the echo in large rooms.

I dislike the idea of dampening the natural light.

He avoids dampening the spirit of creativity.

Can you imagine dampening the impact of negative comments?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to dampen the intensity of the colors. She likes dampening the intensity of the colors.

We started to dampen the excessive noise. We started dampening the excessive noise.

He began to dampen the excitement of the crowd. He began dampening the excitement of the crowd.