To Stifle vs Stifling 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 stifle (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to stifle my laughter during the serious meeting.

Stifling (Gerund)

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

Example

Stifling your feelings can lead to emotional stress.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To stifle (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To stifle your emotions is not healthy.

  To stifle your emotions is not healthy.

  • "*To stifle* your emotions" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (not healthy).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to stifle my complaints.

  She wants me to stifle my complaints.

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

  I need a quiet place to stifle my laughter.

  I need a quiet place to stifle my laughter.

  • "*To stifle* my laughter" modifies the noun "place."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a quiet place *to stifle* my laughter).

Stifling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Stifling your creativity can hinder personal growth.

  Stifling your creativity can hinder personal growth.

  • "*Stifling* your creativity" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can) + noun phrase (personal growth).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy stifling my laughter in inappropriate situations.

  I enjoy stifling my laughter in inappropriate situations.

  • "*Stifling* my laughter in inappropriate situations" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*stifling* my laughter in inappropriate situations).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of stifling her true self.

  She has a fear of stifling her true self.

  • "Of *stifling* her true self" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *stifling* her true self).

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

• try
• refuse
• pretend
• manage
• wish

Example

He tried to stifle his yawn during the lecture.

They refused to stifle their creativity for the sake of conformity.

She pretended to stifle her disappointment when she didn't get the job.

We managed to stifle our excitement until the surprise was revealed.

I wish to stifle my anger in difficult situations.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• imagine
• mind

Example

He avoids stifling his creativity by trying new approaches.

They recommend stifling negative thoughts for a peaceful mind.

I am considering stifling my desires for the sake of others.

Can you imagine stifling your dreams for someone else's benefit?

She doesn't mind stifling her opinions to maintain harmony.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to stifle her laughter in serious situations. She likes stifling her laughter in serious situations.

We started to stifle our emotions in public. We started stifling our emotions in public.

He began to stifle his frustrations during team meetings. He began stifling his frustrations during team meetings.