To Escalate vs Escalating 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 escalate (Infinitive)

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

Example

We need to escalate the issue to upper management for resolution.

Escalating (Gerund)

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

Example

Escalating the situation will only lead to more problems.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To escalate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To escalate is not the best course of action in this situation.

  To escalate is not the best course of action in this situation.

  • "*To escalate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not the best course of action).
• 2. Object

  They want us to escalate the project timeline.

  They want us to escalate the project timeline.

  • "Us *to escalate* the project timeline" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to escalate* the project timeline).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a clear plan to escalate the negotiations.

  I need a clear plan to escalate the negotiations.

  • "*To escalate* the negotiations" modifies the noun "plan."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a clear plan *to escalate* the negotiations).

Escalating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Escalating conflicts can cause irreparable damage.

  Escalating conflicts can cause irreparable damage.

  • "*Escalating* conflicts" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can cause) + noun phrase (irreparable damage).
• 2. Object

  He enjoys escalating tensions during debates.

  He enjoys escalating tensions during debates.

  • "*Escalating* tensions during debates" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*escalating* tensions during debates).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a knack for escalating disagreements.

  She has a knack for escalating disagreements.

  • "For *escalating* disagreements" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *escalating* disagreements).

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

• decide
• plan
• refuse
• attempt
• wish

Example

We decided to escalate the issue to higher authorities.

She plans to escalate the matter if necessary.

He refused to escalate the conflict any further.

They attempted to escalate the discussion to a higher level.

I wish to escalate the issue to the CEO for resolution.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• imagine

Example

We should avoid escalating the conflict further.

They are considering escalating the issue to a higher authority.

Experts recommend not escalating the tension in the room.

Do you mind escalating the matter to the supervisor?

Can you imagine escalating the situation to such a degree?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to escalate small issues into big problems. She likes escalating small issues into big problems.

We started to escalate our response to the customer complaints. We started escalating our response to the customer complaints.

He began to escalate the conflict by raising his voice. He began escalating the conflict by raising his voice.