To Prevent vs Preventing 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 prevent (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to prevent any further damage.

Preventing (Gerund)

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

Example

Preventing accidents is our top priority.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To prevent (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To prevent is the best solution to avoid accidents.

  To prevent is the best solution to avoid accidents.

  • "*To prevent*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the best solution to avoid accidents).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to prevent any mistakes.

  She wants me to prevent any mistakes.

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

  We need a security system to prevent burglaries.

  We need a security system to prevent burglaries.

  • "*To prevent* burglaries" modifies the noun "security system."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a security system *to prevent* burglaries).

Preventing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Preventing pollution is crucial for environmental conservation.

  Preventing pollution is crucial for environmental conservation.

  • "*Preventing* pollution" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (crucial for environmental conservation).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy preventing potential risks.

  I enjoy preventing potential risks.

  • "*Preventing* potential risks" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*preventing* potential risks).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for preventing animal cruelty.

  She has a passion for preventing animal cruelty.

  • "For *preventing* animal cruelty" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *preventing* animal cruelty).

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

They plan to prevent future accidents.

I hope to prevent any misunderstandings.

He wants to prevent conflicts in the workplace.

She decided to prevent any delays in the project.

We agreed to prevent any further problems.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• dislike
• delay
• imagine

Example

They avoid preventing accidents by following safety guidelines.

Experts recommend preventing disease through regular exercise.

I dislike the idea of preventing others from expressing their opinions.

The government cannot delay preventing climate change any longer.

Can you imagine preventing global warming through individual actions?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He likes to prevent problems before they occur. He likes preventing problems before they occur.

We started to prevent accidents in the workplace. We started preventing accidents in the workplace.

She began to prevent conflicts among team members. She began preventing conflicts among team members.