To Deteriorate vs Deteriorating 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 deteriorate (Infinitive)

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

Example

The condition of the building is starting to deteriorate.

Deteriorating (Gerund)

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

Example

The deteriorating condition of the building needs immediate attention.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To deteriorate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To deteriorate is a natural process of aging.

  To deteriorate is a natural process of aging.

  • "*To deteriorate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a natural process of aging).
• 2. Object

  They don't want the situation to deteriorate further.

  They don't want the situation to deteriorate further.

  • "The situation *to deteriorate* further" is the object of the verb "don't want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (don't want) + noun phrase (the situation *to deteriorate* further).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a solution to deteriorate conditions.

  We need a solution to deteriorate conditions.

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

Deteriorating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Deteriorating buildings are a common sight in this area.

  Deteriorating buildings are a common sight in this area.

  • "*Deteriorating* buildings" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (are) + noun phrase (a common sight in this area).
• 2. Object

  He enjoys watching the deteriorating situation from afar.

  He enjoys watching the deteriorating situation from afar.

  • "Watching the *deteriorating* situation from afar" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (watching the *deteriorating* situation from afar).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are worried about the consequences of deteriorating conditions.

  They are worried about the consequences of deteriorating conditions.

  • "Of *deteriorating* conditions" is the object of the preposition "about."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are) + noun phrase (the consequences of *deteriorating* conditions).

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
• refuse
• demand
• deserve
• wish

Example

They attempted to deteriorate the evidence.

He refused to deteriorate the quality of the product.

She demanded to deteriorate the situation.

You deserve to deteriorate your own health if you keep smoking.

I wish to deteriorate the relationship between us.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• imagine

Example

She avoids deteriorating relationships with toxic people.

Experts recommend addressing deteriorating infrastructure as soon as possible.

We are considering options to address the deteriorating situation.

Do you mind me deteriorating my health by eating junk food?

Can you imagine the consequences of deteriorating mental health?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They would like to deteriorate the current situation. They would like deteriorating conditions to improve.

He started to deteriorate after years of neglect. He started noticing the deteriorating condition of the building.

She began to deteriorate mentally after the accident. She began experiencing deteriorating cognitive function.