To Discourage vs Discouraging 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 discourage (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to discourage him from making that decision.

Discouraging (Gerund)

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

Example

Discouraging others can have a negative impact on their self-esteem.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To discourage (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To discourage is not my intention.

  To discourage is not my intention.

  • "*To discourage*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not my intention).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to discourage him.

  She wants me to discourage him.

  • "Me *to discourage* him" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to discourage* him).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a reason to discourage his behavior.

  I need a reason to discourage his behavior.

  • "*To discourage* his behavior" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reason *to discourage* his behavior).

Discouraging (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Discouraging is not a constructive approach.

  Discouraging is not a constructive approach.

  • "*Discouraging*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a constructive approach).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy discouraging negative behavior.

  I enjoy discouraging negative behavior.

  • "*Discouraging* negative behavior" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*discouraging* negative behavior).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for discouraging conflicts.

  She has a talent for discouraging conflicts.

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

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

• hope
• plan
• decide
• choose
• demand

Example

They hope to discourage others from littering in the park.

He plans to discourage her from taking unnecessary risks.

We decided to discourage people from using single-use plastics.

She chose to discourage her children from eating too much sugar.

The teacher demands to discourage cheating during exams.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider
• mind

Example

They recommend discouraging excessive screen time for children.

He avoids discouraging others without offering solutions.

Can you imagine yourself discouraging someone from pursuing their dreams?

She considers discouraging harmful habits as part of her job.

Do you mind discouraging them from joining the club?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I don't like to discourage others from trying new things. I don't like discouraging others from trying new things.

They started to discourage unhealthy eating habits. They started discouraging unhealthy eating habits.

He began to discourage negative attitudes in the workplace. He began discouraging negative attitudes in the workplace.