To Reduce vs Reducing 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 reduce (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to reduce my carbon footprint by using public transportation.

Reducing (Gerund)

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

Example

Reducing food waste is essential for sustainable living.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To reduce (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To reduce waste is important for environmental sustainability.

  To reduce waste is important for environmental sustainability.

  • "*To reduce* waste" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for environmental sustainability).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to reduce my energy consumption.

  She wants me to reduce my energy consumption.

  • "Me *to reduce* my energy consumption" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to reduce* my energy consumption).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a strategy to reduce my stress levels.

  I need a strategy to reduce my stress levels.

  • "*To reduce* my stress levels" modifies the noun "strategy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to reduce* my stress levels).

Reducing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Reducing carbon emissions is crucial for combating climate change.

  Reducing carbon emissions is crucial for combating climate change.

  • "*Reducing* carbon emissions" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (crucial for combating climate change).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy reducing my plastic waste.

  I enjoy reducing my plastic waste.

  • "*Reducing* my plastic waste" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*reducing* my plastic waste).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for reducing her ecological footprint.

  She has a passion for reducing her ecological footprint.

  • "For *reducing* her ecological footprint" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *reducing* her ecological footprint).

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

She plans to reduce her carbon footprint by recycling more.

They hope to reduce their expenses by cutting unnecessary costs.

He wants to reduce his sugar intake for better health.

We decided to reduce our use of single-use plastics.

They agreed to reduce their water consumption to conserve resources.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys reducing her water usage to conserve resources.

They recommend reducing meat consumption for environmental reasons.

I dislike the idea of reducing travel opportunities.

He avoids reducing his exercise routine even during busy days.

Can you imagine yourself reducing your carbon footprint by using renewable energy?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to reduce waste by recycling and composting. She likes reducing waste by recycling and composting.

We started to reduce our plastic consumption. We started reducing our plastic consumption.

He began to reduce his reliance on single-use products. He began reducing his reliance on single-use products.