To Hyperventilate vs Hyperventilating 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 hyperventilate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to hyperventilate in order to calm down.

Hyperventilating (Gerund)

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

Example

Hyperventilating can lead to dizziness and lightheadedness.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To hyperventilate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To hyperventilate can be dangerous if not monitored.

  To hyperventilate can be dangerous if not monitored.

  • "*To hyperventilate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective (dangerous) + conjunction (if) + adverb (not) + verb (monitored).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to hyperventilate during the panic attack.

  She wants me to hyperventilate during the panic attack.

  • "Me *to hyperventilate* during the panic attack" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to hyperventilate* during the panic attack).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a paper bag to hyperventilate into.

  I need a paper bag to hyperventilate into.

  • "*To hyperventilate* into" modifies the noun "paper bag."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a paper bag *to hyperventilate* into).

Hyperventilating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Hyperventilating is a common response to anxiety.

  Hyperventilating is a common response to anxiety.

  • "*Hyperventilating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common response to anxiety).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy hyperventilating as a stress-relief technique.

  I enjoy hyperventilating as a stress-relief technique.

  • "*Hyperventilating* as a stress-relief technique" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*hyperventilating* as a stress-relief technique).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of hyperventilating in public.

  She has a fear of hyperventilating in public.

  • "Of *hyperventilating* in public" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *hyperventilating* in public).

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 hyperventilate before her presentation.

They hope to hyperventilate less often with practice.

He wants to hyperventilate as a coping mechanism.

We decided to hyperventilate together to relieve stress.

They agreed to hyperventilate during the breathing exercises.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys hyperventilating in a quiet room.

They recommend avoiding hyperventilating during panic attacks.

I dislike the sensation of hyperventilating.

He avoids situations that trigger hyperventilating.

Can you imagine yourself hyperventilating in front of a crowd?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to hyperventilate when feeling overwhelmed. She likes hyperventilating to release tension.

We started to hyperventilate as a relaxation technique. We started hyperventilating to reduce anxiety.

He began to hyperventilate during moments of panic. He began hyperventilating as a response to stress.