To Depress vs Depressing 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 depress (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to depress myself with negative thoughts.

Depressing (Gerund)

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

Example

Depressing situations can have a negative impact on mental health.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To depress (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To depress is not a healthy way to cope with stress.

  To depress is not a healthy way to cope with stress.

  • "*To depress*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a healthy way to cope with stress).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to depress her with my sad stories.

  She wants me to depress her with my sad stories.

  • "Me *to depress* her with my sad stories" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to depress* her with my sad stories).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a positive environment to depress my anxiety.

  I need a positive environment to depress my anxiety.

  • "*To depress* my anxiety" modifies the noun "environment."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a positive environment *to depress* my anxiety).

Depressing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Depressing news can affect one's mood.

  Depressing news can affect one's mood.

  • "*Depressing* news" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can) + noun phrase (one's mood).
• 2. Object

  I avoid depressing movies because they make me sad.

  I avoid depressing movies because they make me sad.

  • "*Depressing* movies" is the object of the verb "avoid."
  • Noun (I) + verb (avoid) + gerund (*depressing* movies).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of depressing situations.

  She has a fear of depressing situations.

  • "Of *depressing* situations" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *depressing* situations).

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

• attempt
• struggle
• choose
• wish
• demand

Example

He attempts to depress others by constantly criticizing them.

They struggle to depress their emotions and put on a brave face.

We chose to depress our feelings instead of confronting the issue.

I wish to depress my worries and find inner peace.

The boss demands to depress the team's morale with constant negativity.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• mind
• consider
• imagine

Example

He enjoys depressing others with his pessimistic outlook.

They recommend avoiding depressing environments for better mental well-being.

I don't mind depressing topics in movies as long as they have a deeper meaning.

We should consider the impact of depressing news on our mental health.

Can you imagine depressing yourself with negative thoughts all the time?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She doesn't like to depress others with her problems. She doesn't like depressing others with her problems.

He began to depress himself when he lost his job. He began depressing himself when he lost his job.

They continue to depress themselves by dwelling on past mistakes. They continue depressing themselves by dwelling on past mistakes.