To Suppress vs Suppressing 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 suppress (Infinitive)

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

Example

They decided to suppress the information to protect their reputation.

Suppressing (Gerund)

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

Example

Suppressing your emotions can have negative consequences.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To suppress (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To suppress the truth is unethical.

  To suppress the truth is unethical.

  • "*To suppress* the truth" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (unethical).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to suppress my emotions.

  He wants me to suppress my emotions.

  • "Me *to suppress* my emotions" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to suppress* my emotions).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a solution to suppress the noise.

  We need a solution to suppress the noise.

  • "*To suppress* the noise" modifies the noun "solution."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a solution *to suppress* the noise).

Suppressing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Suppressing anger is not healthy.

  Suppressing anger is not healthy.

  • "*Suppressing* anger" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (not healthy).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy suppressing my appetite with healthy snacks.

  I enjoy suppressing my appetite with healthy snacks.

  • "*Suppressing* my appetite with healthy snacks" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*suppressing* my appetite with healthy snacks).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a fear of suppressing his true feelings.

  He has a fear of suppressing his true feelings.

  • "Of *suppressing* his true feelings" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *suppressing* his true feelings).

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
• want
• choose
• decide
• refuse

Example

She plans to suppress any negative feedback about the product.

He wants to suppress the evidence against him.

They chose to suppress the findings of the study.

We decided to suppress our anger in order to maintain peace.

She refused to suppress her opinions despite the pressure.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• imagine

Example

She avoids suppressing her creativity for the sake of conformity.

They are considering suppressing the controversial scene in the movie.

Experts recommend suppressing negative thoughts for better mental health.

I don't mind suppressing my desires for the greater good.

Can you imagine suppressing your laughter in such a hilarious situation?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to suppress her emotions. She likes suppressing her emotions.

We started to suppress our doubts and took a leap of faith. We started suppressing our doubts and took a leap of faith.

He began to suppress his desires for instant gratification. He began suppressing his desires for instant gratification.