To Inhibit vs Inhibiting 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 inhibit (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to inhibit the growth of bacteria in the lab.

Inhibiting (Gerund)

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

Example

Inhibiting bacterial growth is crucial for food safety.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To inhibit (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To inhibit is an effective strategy for preventing the spread of diseases.

  To inhibit is an effective strategy for preventing the spread of diseases.

  • "*To inhibit*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an effective strategy for preventing the spread of diseases).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to inhibit the enzyme activity.

  She wants me to inhibit the enzyme activity.

  • "Me *to inhibit* the enzyme activity" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to inhibit* the enzyme activity).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a substance to inhibit the growth of weeds.

  We need a substance to inhibit the growth of weeds.

  • "*To inhibit* the growth of weeds" modifies the noun "substance."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a substance *to inhibit* the growth of weeds).

Inhibiting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Inhibiting the spread of viruses is a top priority for public health agencies.

  Inhibiting the spread of viruses is a top priority for public health agencies.

  • "*Inhibiting* the spread of viruses" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a top priority for public health agencies).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy inhibiting the growth of cancer cells in the lab.

  I enjoy inhibiting the growth of cancer cells in the lab.

  • "*Inhibiting* the growth of cancer cells in the lab" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*inhibiting* the growth of cancer cells in the lab).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for inhibiting the formation of blood clots.

  She has a passion for inhibiting the formation of blood clots.

  • "For *inhibiting* the formation of blood clots" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *inhibiting* the formation of blood clots).

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

He plans to inhibit the protein synthesis process.

They hope to inhibit the tumor growth with this treatment.

She wants to inhibit the production of excess oil on her skin.

We decided to inhibit the enzyme activity using a specific inhibitor.

They agreed to inhibit the inflammatory response in the body.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider
• resist

Example

Doctors recommend inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria through proper hygiene practices.

He avoids inhibiting the natural immune response of the body.

Can you imagine inhibiting the progression of a disease with a simple medication?

We are considering inhibiting the enzyme activity to treat the condition.

The bacteria have developed resistance to inhibiting antibiotics.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to inhibit the enzyme activity. She likes inhibiting the enzyme activity.

We started to inhibit the growth of weeds in our garden. We started inhibiting the growth of weeds in our garden.

He began to inhibit the cell division process. He began inhibiting the cell division process.