To Deepen vs Deepening 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 deepen (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to deepen my understanding of the subject.

Deepening (Gerund)

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

Example

Deepening your understanding is essential for success.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To deepen (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To deepen your knowledge, you need to study more.

  To deepen your knowledge, you need to study more.

  • "*To deepen* your knowledge" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (need) + noun phrase (your knowledge).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to deepen my commitment to the project.

  She wants me to deepen my commitment to the project.

  • "Me *to deepen* my commitment to the project" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to deepen* my commitment to the project).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a mentor to deepen his skills.

  He needs a mentor to deepen his skills.

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

Deepening (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Deepening your knowledge requires continuous learning.

  Deepening your knowledge requires continuous learning.

  • "*Deepening* your knowledge" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (continuous learning).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy deepening my skills through practice.

  I enjoy deepening my skills through practice.

  • "*Deepening* my skills through practice" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*deepening* my skills through practice).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for deepening her understanding of different cultures.

  She has a passion for deepening her understanding of different cultures.

  • "For *deepening* her understanding of different cultures" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *deepening* her understanding of different cultures).

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 deepen their understanding through further research.

We hope to deepen our relationship with our customers.

She wants to deepen her expertise in the field.

He decided to deepen his involvement in the project.

They agreed to deepen their collaboration for better results.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys deepening his knowledge through reading.

They recommend deepening your skills for career advancement.

I dislike the idea of deepening my involvement in politics.

She avoids deepening conflicts in her relationships.

Can you imagine deepening your understanding of quantum physics?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to deepen my understanding of psychology. I would like deepening my understanding of psychology.

They started to deepen their friendship. They started deepening their friendship.

He began to deepen his meditation practice. He began deepening his meditation practice.