To Protect vs Protecting 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 protect (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to protect the environment for future generations.

Protecting (Gerund)

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

Example

Protecting the vulnerable is an important social responsibility.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To protect (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To protect is our duty as responsible citizens.

  To protect is our duty as responsible citizens.

  • "*To protect*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (our duty as responsible citizens).
• 2. Object

  She asked him to protect her from danger.

  She asked him to protect her from danger.

  • "Him *to protect* her from danger" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to protect* her from danger).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a strong security system to protect our property.

  We need a strong security system to protect our property.

  • "*To protect* our property" modifies the noun "security system."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong security system *to protect* our property).

Protecting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Protecting the environment is crucial for sustainability.

  Protecting the environment is crucial for sustainability.

  • "*Protecting* the environment" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (crucial for sustainability).
• 2. Object

  He enjoys protecting people from harm.

  He enjoys protecting people from harm.

  • "*Protecting* people from harm" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*protecting* people from harm).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are dedicated to the cause of protecting human rights.

  They are dedicated to the cause of protecting human rights.

  • "The cause of *protecting* human rights" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are) + noun phrase (the cause of *protecting* human rights).

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

• agree
• plan
• refuse
• wish
• determine

Example

They agreed to protect the endangered species.

We plan to protect the wildlife sanctuary.

He refused to protect his own interests.

I wish to protect the rights of marginalized communities.

They determined to protect the privacy of their users.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• mind
• consider
• resist

Example

Experts recommend protecting your skin from harmful UV rays.

She avoids protecting herself from criticism.

Do you mind protecting your personal information?

We should consider protecting the rights of animals.

He resisted protecting his own reputation.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I like to protect endangered species. I like protecting endangered species.

They began to protect the natural habitats. They began protecting the natural habitats.

She continues to protect the rights of children. She continues protecting the rights of children.