To Discontinue vs Discontinuing 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 discontinue (Infinitive)

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

Example

They decided to discontinue the production of that product.

Discontinuing (Gerund)

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

Example

Discontinuing the program was a necessary step.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To discontinue (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To discontinue the project was a difficult decision.

  To discontinue the project was a difficult decision.

  • "*To discontinue* the project" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (a difficult decision).
• 2. Object

  We want them to discontinue the use of plastic bags.

  We want them to discontinue the use of plastic bags.

  • "Them *to discontinue* the use of plastic bags" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (We) + verb (want) + noun phrase (them *to discontinue* the use of plastic bags).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a reason to discontinue his membership.

  He needs a reason to discontinue his membership.

  • "*To discontinue* his membership" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a reason *to discontinue* his membership).

Discontinuing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Discontinuing the practice was a controversial move.

  Discontinuing the practice was a controversial move.

  • "*Discontinuing* the practice" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (a controversial move).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy discontinuing bad habits.

  I enjoy discontinuing bad habits.

  • "*Discontinuing* bad habits" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*discontinuing* bad habits).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has no intention of discontinuing her research.

  She has no intention of discontinuing her research.

  • "Of *discontinuing* her research" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (no intention of *discontinuing* her research).

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 discontinue the project next month.

They hope to discontinue the use of harmful chemicals in their products.

He wants to discontinue the partnership with that company.

We decided to discontinue the service due to low demand.

They agreed to discontinue the outdated software.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys discontinuing unnecessary expenses.

They recommend discontinuing the use of single-use plastics.

I dislike the idea of discontinuing the project.

He avoids discontinuing important conversations.

Can you imagine discontinuing your favorite hobby?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She would like to discontinue the outdated system. She would like discontinuing the outdated system.

We started to discontinue the old policy. We started discontinuing the old policy.

He began to discontinue the unhealthy practices. He began discontinuing the unhealthy practices.