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To Infantilize vs Infantilizing Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To infantilize (Infinitive)

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

Example

She refuses to infantilize her children and believes in their independence.

Infantilizing (Gerund)

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

Example

Infantilizing others can damage their self-esteem and confidence.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To infantilize (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To infantilize is a harmful parenting practice.

    To infantilize is a harmful parenting practice.

    • "*To infantilize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a harmful parenting practice).
  • 2Object

    He wants his employees to infantilize their clients.

    He wants his employees to infantilize their clients.

    • "His employees *to infantilize* their clients" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (his employees *to infantilize* their clients).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    We need a society to infantilize its citizens.

    We need a society to infantilize its citizens.

    • "*To infantilize* its citizens" modifies the noun "society."
    • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a society *to infantilize* its citizens).

Infantilizing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Infantilizing is a form of manipulation.

    Infantilizing is a form of manipulation.

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

    They enjoy infantilizing their friends during playful banter.

    They enjoy infantilizing their friends during playful banter.

    • "*Infantilizing* their friends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (They) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*infantilizing* their friends).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    He was criticized for his habit of infantilizing others.

    He was criticized for his habit of infantilizing others.

    • "For his habit of *infantilizing* others" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (He) + verb (was) + noun phrase (criticized for his habit of *infantilizing* others).

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

Example

They plan to infantilize their customers with personalized advertisements.

I hope not to infantilize my students but to empower them.

She wants her partner to infantilize her during role-play.

He decided to infantilize the situation by treating it lightly.

We all agreed to infantilize the event with fun games and activities.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys infantilizing her coworkers to feel superior.

Experts recommend avoiding infantilizing language when talking to adults.

I strongly dislike the act of infantilizing individuals with disabilities.

He tries to avoid infantilizing his teenage children by giving them responsibilities.

Can you imagine infantilizing someone just to exert control over them?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

They don't like to infantilize their customers. They don't like infantilizing their customers.

She started to infantilize her partner after they got married. She started infantilizing her partner after they got married.

He began to infantilize his employees by micromanaging their every task. He began infantilizing his employees by micromanaging their every task.

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