To Minimize vs Minimizing 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 minimize (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to minimize my expenses to save money.

Minimizing (Gerund)

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

Example

Minimizing waste is crucial for a sustainable future.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To minimize (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To minimize is essential for achieving success.

  To minimize is essential for achieving success.

  • "*To minimize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (essential) + prepositional phrase (for achieving success).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to minimize the risk.

  She wants me to minimize the risk.

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

  I need a strategy to minimize my time spent on social media.

  I need a strategy to minimize my time spent on social media.

  • "*To minimize* my time spent on social media" modifies the noun "strategy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to minimize* my time spent on social media).

Minimizing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Minimizing expenses is a wise financial strategy.

  Minimizing expenses is a wise financial strategy.

  • "*Minimizing* expenses" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a wise financial strategy).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy minimizing my ecological footprint.

  I enjoy minimizing my ecological footprint.

  • "*Minimizing* my ecological footprint" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*minimizing* my ecological footprint).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for minimizing risks.

  She has a talent for minimizing risks.

  • "For *minimizing* risks" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *minimizing* risks).

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 minimize her carbon footprint this year.

They hope to minimize their impact on the environment.

He wants to minimize his stress levels.

We decided to minimize our expenses to achieve financial freedom.

They agreed to minimize the use of plastic in their household.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys minimizing her daily expenses.

They recommend minimizing screen time for better productivity.

I dislike the idea of minimizing personal freedom.

He avoids minimizing the importance of self-care.

Can you imagine yourself minimizing your environmental impact?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to minimize waste in her household. She likes minimizing waste in her household.

We started to minimize our carbon emissions. We started minimizing our carbon emissions.

He began to minimize his reliance on single-use plastics. He began minimizing his reliance on single-use plastics.