To Prohibit vs Prohibiting 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 prohibit (Infinitive)

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

Example

The law prohibits to swim in this area.

Prohibiting (Gerund)

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

Example

Prohibiting swimming is necessary for public safety.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To prohibit (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To swim is prohibited in this pool.

  To swim is prohibited in this pool.

  • "*To swim*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (prohibited).
• 2. Object

  They prohibit me to swim in the lake.

  They prohibit me to swim in the lake.

  • "Me *to swim* in the lake" is the object of the verb "prohibit."
  • Noun (They) + verb (prohibit) + noun phrase (me *to swim* in the lake).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a permit to swim in this area.

  I need a permit to swim in this area.

  • "*To swim* in this area" modifies the noun "permit."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a permit *to swim* in this area).

Prohibiting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Prohibiting swimming in this area is essential.

  Prohibiting swimming in this area is essential.

  • "*Prohibiting* swimming" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (essential).
• 2. Object

  I support prohibiting swimming in crowded pools.

  I support prohibiting swimming in crowded pools.

  • "*Prohibiting* swimming in crowded pools" is the object of the verb "support."
  • Noun (I) + verb (support) + gerund (*prohibiting* swimming in crowded pools).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  The new regulation focuses on prohibiting swimming without a lifeguard.

  The new regulation focuses on prohibiting swimming without a lifeguard.

  • "*Prohibiting* swimming without a lifeguard" is the object of the preposition "on."
  • Noun phrase (The new regulation) + verb (focuses) + noun phrase (*prohibiting* swimming without a lifeguard).

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
• refuse
• attempt
• demand
• deserve

Example

They decided to prohibit swimming in the river due to safety concerns.

The lifeguard refused to prohibit swimming in the designated area.

They attempted to prohibit swimming in public beaches during the pandemic.

The residents demanded to prohibit swimming in the polluted lake.

He deserves to prohibit swimming in his private pool.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• delay
• deny
• imagine

Example

They recommend prohibiting swimming in dangerous areas.

We should avoid prohibiting swimming without proper justification.

The city council decided to delay prohibiting swimming in public parks.

They deny prohibiting swimming in the local pond.

Can you imagine prohibiting swimming in the entire city?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• allow

Example

She doesn't like to prohibit swimming in public places. She doesn't like prohibiting swimming in public places.

The government will begin to prohibit swimming in contaminated waters. The government will begin prohibiting swimming in contaminated waters.

They allow you to prohibit swimming in your private pool. They allow you prohibiting swimming in your private pool.