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 accidents from happening.

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 should be our top priority.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To prevent (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To prevent is essential for maintaining safety in the workplace.

  To prevent is essential for maintaining safety in the workplace.

  • "*To prevent*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for maintaining safety in the workplace).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to prevent any damage to the equipment.

  She wants me to prevent any damage to the equipment.

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

  We need a reliable system to prevent unauthorized access.

  We need a reliable system to prevent unauthorized access.

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

Preventing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Preventing accidents is everyone's responsibility.

  Preventing accidents is everyone's responsibility.

  • "*Preventing* accidents" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (everyone's responsibility).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy preventing environmental pollution.

  I enjoy preventing environmental pollution.

  • "*Preventing* environmental pollution" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*preventing* environmental pollution).
• 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 any delays in the project.

I hope to prevent any further misunderstandings.

He wants to prevent any leaks in the roof.

We decided to prevent any conflicts from arising.

They agreed to prevent any security breaches.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider
• mind

Example

They recommend preventing accidents through proper training.

He avoids preventing conflicts by addressing issues early on.

Can you imagine preventing diseases through simple hygiene practices?

We should consider preventing pollution for a healthier environment.

Do you mind preventing unauthorized access to your personal information?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to prevent any potential risks. They like preventing accidents.

He started to prevent any further damage. He started preventing future problems.

We began to prevent any accidents at the construction site. We began preventing workplace incidents.