To Gatekeep vs Gatekeeping 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 gatekeep (Infinitive)

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

Example

She refuses to gatekeep and welcomes everyone into the community.

Gatekeeping (Gerund)

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

Example

Gatekeeping can create a toxic environment in online communities.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To gatekeep (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To gatekeep is not a productive behavior in online spaces.

  To gatekeep is not a productive behavior in online spaces.

  • "*To gatekeep*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (not a productive behavior in online spaces).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to gatekeep the event.

  He wants me to gatekeep the event.

  • "Me *to gatekeep* the event" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to gatekeep* the event).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a moderator to gatekeep the forum.

  We need a moderator to gatekeep the forum.

  • "*To gatekeep* the forum" modifies the noun "moderator."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a moderator *to gatekeep* the forum).

Gatekeeping (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Gatekeeping is a form of exclusionary behavior.

  Gatekeeping is a form of exclusionary behavior.

  • "*Gatekeeping*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a form of exclusionary behavior).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy gatekeeping the quality of content in our group.

  I enjoy gatekeeping the quality of content in our group.

  • "*Gatekeeping* the quality of content in our group" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*gatekeeping* the quality of content in our group).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a talent for gatekeeping.

  They have a talent for gatekeeping.

  • "For *gatekeeping*" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a talent for *gatekeeping*).

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

• refuse
• determine
• pretend
• wish
• demand

Example

They refuse to gatekeep any members based on their background.

The committee will determine whether to gatekeep certain information.

She pretends to gatekeep to maintain her authority.

I wish to gatekeep access to this exclusive club.

He demands to gatekeep all sensitive documents.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• imagine
• resist

Example

We should avoid unnecessary gatekeeping in the community.

Experts recommend addressing toxic gatekeeping behaviors in online platforms.

Have you ever considered the impact of gatekeeping on inclusivity?

Can you imagine a world without gatekeeping?

She resists the urge of gatekeeping and encourages collaboration.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to gatekeep to maintain the integrity of the group. I like gatekeeping to maintain the integrity of the group.

They started to gatekeep after noticing the decline in quality. They started gatekeeping after noticing the decline in quality.

He began to gatekeep the comments section. He began gatekeeping the comments section.