To Sensationalize vs Sensationalizing 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 sensationalize (Infinitive)

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

Example

The media often tends to sensationalize stories to attract more viewers.

Sensationalizing (Gerund)

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

Example

Sensationalizing news can lead to misinformation.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To sensationalize (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To sensationalize is a common tactic used by tabloid newspapers.

  To sensationalize is a common tactic used by tabloid newspapers.

  • "*To sensationalize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common tactic used by tabloid newspapers).
• 2. Object

  They want the journalist to sensationalize the headline.

  They want the journalist to sensationalize the headline.

  • "The journalist *to sensationalize* the headline" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (the journalist *to sensationalize* the headline).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  She needs a story to sensationalize for her article.

  She needs a story to sensationalize for her article.

  • "*To sensationalize* for her article" modifies the noun "story."
  • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a story *to sensationalize* for her article).

Sensationalizing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Sensationalizing can damage the credibility of the media.

  Sensationalizing can damage the credibility of the media.

  • "*Sensationalizing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can) + noun phrase (damage the credibility of the media).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy sensationalizing stories to grab readers' attention.

  I enjoy sensationalizing stories to grab readers' attention.

  • "*Sensationalizing* stories to grab readers' attention" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*sensationalizing* stories to grab readers' attention).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for sensationalizing events.

  He has a talent for sensationalizing events.

  • "For *sensationalizing* events" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *sensationalizing* events).

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

• choose
• pretend
• demand
• refuse
• struggle

Example

He chooses to sensationalize the news for higher ratings.

They pretend to sensationalize the events to create drama.

The audience demands the media to sensationalize the stories.

She refused to sensationalize the details of the incident.

The reporter struggles to sensationalize the facts in the report.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• postpone
• resist

Example

They avoid sensationalizing news to maintain their integrity.

We should consider the consequences of sensationalizing the story.

Experts recommend against sensationalizing tragedies.

The editor decided to postpone sensationalizing the scandal.

She resists the urge to keep sensationalizing the headlines.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I don't like to sensationalize stories for the sake of ratings. I don't like sensationalizing stories for the sake of ratings.

He began to sensationalize news to attract more readers. He began sensationalizing news to attract more readers.

They continue to sensationalize events to generate controversy. They continue sensationalizing events to generate controversy.