To Hasten vs Hastening 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 hasten (Infinitive)

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

Example

We need to hasten our efforts to meet the deadline.

Hastening (Gerund)

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

Example

Hastening the process can lead to mistakes.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To hasten (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To hasten is important in emergency situations.

  To hasten is important in emergency situations.

  • "*To hasten*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to hasten the completion of the project.

  She wants me to hasten the completion of the project.

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

  We need a faster computer to hasten the data processing.

  We need a faster computer to hasten the data processing.

  • "*To hasten* the data processing" modifies the noun "computer."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a faster computer *to hasten* the data processing).

Hastening (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Hastening can be risky in certain situations.

  Hastening can be risky in certain situations.

  • "*Hastening*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective phrase (risky).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy hastening the completion of tasks.

  I enjoy hastening the completion of tasks.

  • "*Hastening* the completion of tasks" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*hastening* the completion of tasks).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for hastening the decision-making process.

  She has a talent for hastening the decision-making process.

  • "For *hastening* the decision-making process" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *hastening* the decision-making process).

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
• decide
• attempt
• wish
• demand

Example

They plan to hasten the production process next month.

I decided to hasten my learning progress by taking intensive classes.

He attempted to hasten the recovery by following a strict diet.

We wish to hasten the decision-making process for better efficiency.

The customers demand to hasten the delivery of their orders.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• resist
• understand

Example

They avoid hastening the project without proper planning.

Experts recommend hastening the recovery with physical therapy.

We are considering hastening the launch date of the product.

She resisted hastening the decision until more information was available.

It's important to understand the consequences of hastening the process.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to hasten the implementation of the new system. I would like hastening the implementation of the new system.

They started to hasten the construction of the building. They started hastening the construction of the building.

He began to hasten the decision-making process. He began hastening the decision-making process.