To Lower vs Lowering 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 lower (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to lower the volume of the music.

Lowering (Gerund)

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

Example

Lowering your voice is a sign of respect.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To lower (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To lower the volume is a simple task.

  To lower the volume is a simple task.

  • "*To lower* the volume" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a simple task).
• 2. Object

  She asked me to lower the blinds.

  She asked me to lower the blinds.

  • "Me *to lower* the blinds" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to lower* the blinds).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a ladder to lower the light fixture.

  He needs a ladder to lower the light fixture.

  • "*To lower* the light fixture" modifies the noun "ladder."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a ladder *to lower* the light fixture).

Lowering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Lowering the temperature helps conserve energy.

  Lowering the temperature helps conserve energy.

  • "*Lowering* the temperature" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (helps) + noun phrase (conserve energy).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy lowering the volume of the music.

  I enjoy lowering the volume of the music.

  • "*Lowering* the volume of the music" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*lowering* the volume of the music).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for lowering people's stress levels.

  She has a talent for lowering people's stress levels.

  • "For *lowering* people's stress levels" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *lowering* people's stress levels).

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

• decide
• offer
• refuse
• choose
• manage

Example

We decided to lower the price of the product.

They offered to lower the rent for us.

She refused to lower her standards for anyone.

He chose to lower his expectations to avoid disappointment.

They managed to lower their expenses and save money.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• mind
• practice

Example

They recommend lowering the thermostat at night for better sleep.

He avoids lowering his standards in any situation.

We are considering lowering the prices to attract more customers.

Do you mind lowering the volume of the TV?

She practices lowering her voice for public speaking.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• stop

Example

I would like to lower the intensity of the lights. I would like lowering the intensity of the lights.

They began to lower their expectations. They began lowering their expectations.

He stopped to lower the window blinds. He stopped lowering the window blinds.