To Prolong vs Prolonging 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 prolong (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to prolong my vacation to spend more time with my family.

Prolonging (Gerund)

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

Example

Prolonging the decision will only lead to more uncertainty.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To prolong (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To prolong the meeting would be a waste of time.

  To prolong the meeting would be a waste of time.

  • "*To prolong* the meeting" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (would be) + noun phrase (a waste of time).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to prolong the project deadline.

  She wants me to prolong the project deadline.

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

  I need more resources to prolong the experiment.

  I need more resources to prolong the experiment.

  • "*To prolong* the experiment" modifies the noun "resources."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (more resources *to prolong* the experiment).

Prolonging (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Prolonging the project completion is not advisable.

  Prolonging the project completion is not advisable.

  • "*Prolonging* the project completion" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not advisable).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy prolonging my morning routine.

  I enjoy prolonging my morning routine.

  • "*Prolonging* my morning routine" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*prolonging* my morning routine).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a habit of prolonging conversations.

  He has a habit of prolonging conversations.

  • "Of *prolonging* conversations" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *prolonging* conversations).

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 prolong their stay in the city.

I hope to prolong the enjoyment of this moment.

We want to prolong the celebration until midnight.

He decided to prolong the meeting for another hour.

They agreed to prolong the negotiation process.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• postpone
• imagine

Example

They avoid prolonging the decision-making process.

Experts recommend prolonging your sleep for better health.

I am considering prolonging my stay in this city.

She decided to postpone prolonging the discussion.

Can you imagine prolonging the excitement of this event?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to prolong my vacation. I would like prolonging my vacation.

They started to prolong the project timeline. They started prolonging the project timeline.

He began to prolong his workout sessions. He began prolonging his workout sessions.