When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To silence (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to silence" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
They decided to silence the critics by presenting solid evidence.
Silencing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "silencing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Silencing dissent is a violation of freedom of speech.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To silence (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To silence is their ultimate goal.
To silence is their ultimate goal.
- "*To silence*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (their ultimate goal).
- 2Object
She wants him to silence the rumors.
She wants him to silence the rumors.
- "Him *to silence* the rumors" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (him *to silence* the rumors).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a solution to silence the critics.
We need a solution to silence the critics.
- "*To silence* the critics" modifies the noun "solution."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a solution *to silence* the critics).
Silencing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Silencing opposing views is not the solution.
Silencing opposing views is not the solution.
- "*Silencing* opposing views" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not the solution).
- 2Object
He enjoys silencing his critics with well-reasoned arguments.
He enjoys silencing his critics with well-reasoned arguments.
- "*Silencing* his critics with well-reasoned arguments" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*silencing* his critics with well-reasoned arguments).
- 3Object of Preposition
They are advocates for silencing hate speech.
They are advocates for silencing hate speech.
- "For *silencing* hate speech" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (They) + verb (are) + noun phrase (advocates for *silencing* hate speech).
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
Example
He plans to silence his opponents during the debate.
I hope to silence the doubters with my performance.
They want to silence the protestors peacefully.
She decided to silence the critics once and for all.
We agreed to silence any negative comments about our project.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She avoids silencing her opponents in public debates.
Experts recommend silencing distractions to improve focus.
I dislike the idea of silencing opposing viewpoints.
They postponed silencing the critics until further evidence was gathered.
Can you imagine silencing all forms of discrimination?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to silence her critics with compelling arguments. She likes silencing her critics with compelling arguments.
He started to silence the opposition's accusations. He started silencing the opposition's accusations.
They began to silence the rumors by providing accurate information. They began silencing the rumors by providing accurate information.
