To Restrict vs Restricting 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 restrict (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to restrict access to this area for safety reasons.

Restricting (Gerund)

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

Example

Restricting access to certain areas is crucial for safety purposes.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To restrict (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To restrict access is necessary in order to maintain security.

  To restrict access is necessary in order to maintain security.

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

  She wants me to restrict the use of this equipment.

  She wants me to restrict the use of this equipment.

  • "Me *to restrict* the use of this equipment" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to restrict* the use of this equipment).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a password to restrict unauthorized access.

  We need a password to restrict unauthorized access.

  • "*To restrict* unauthorized access" modifies the noun "password."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a password *to restrict* unauthorized access).

Restricting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Restricting access requires careful planning.

  Restricting access requires careful planning.

  • "*Restricting* access" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful planning).
• 2. Object

  They enjoy restricting access to unauthorized individuals.

  They enjoy restricting access to unauthorized individuals.

  • "*Restricting* access to unauthorized individuals" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (They) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*restricting* access to unauthorized individuals).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a habit of restricting his diet to certain foods.

  He has a habit of restricting his diet to certain foods.

  • "Of *restricting* his diet to certain foods" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *restricting* his diet to certain foods).

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
• decide
• demand
• refuse
• hope

Example

He plans to restrict the number of attendees at the event.

They decided to restrict the use of mobile phones in the building.

The company demands employees to restrict their social media usage during working hours.

She refused to restrict the freedom of speech.

We hope to restrict the spread of misinformation.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• imagine

Example

She avoids restricting the freedom of expression.

We are considering restricting access to this area during nighttime.

Experts recommend restricting screen time for children.

Do you mind restricting the use of your personal belongings?

Imagine restricting yourself to a strict diet for a month.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to restrict access to this room. I would like restricting access to this room.

They started to restrict entry to the premises. They started restricting entry to the premises.

He began to restrict the use of personal devices. He began restricting the use of personal devices.