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.

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 waste is an effective way to protect the environment.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To reduce (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To reduce waste is important for the environment.

  To reduce waste is important for the environment.

  • "*To reduce* waste" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important for the environment).
• 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

  We need a strategy to reduce our expenses.

  We need a strategy to reduce our expenses.

  • "*To reduce* our expenses" modifies the noun "strategy."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to reduce* our expenses).

Reducing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Reducing pollution is crucial for a sustainable future.

  Reducing pollution is crucial for a sustainable future.

  • "*Reducing* pollution" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (crucial for a sustainable future).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy reducing my carbon footprint through sustainable practices.

  I enjoy reducing my carbon footprint through sustainable practices.

  • "*Reducing* my carbon footprint through sustainable practices" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*reducing* my carbon footprint through sustainable practices).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for reducing food waste.

  She has a passion for reducing food waste.

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

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

He plans to reduce his plastic waste by using reusable bags.

I hope to reduce my carbon emissions by carpooling.

They want to reduce their water usage by installing low-flow showerheads.

She decided to reduce her meat consumption for ethical reasons.

We agreed to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy reducing their plastic use to protect marine life.

Experts recommend reducing energy consumption to combat climate change.

I dislike the idea of reducing my leisure time for work.

He avoids reducing his commitment to sustainability efforts.

Can you imagine yourself reducing waste and living a zero-waste lifestyle?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to reduce my ecological footprint. I like reducing my ecological footprint.

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

He began to reduce his energy consumption. He began reducing his energy consumption.