To Untense vs Untensing 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 untense (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to untense my muscles after a long day of work.

Untensing (Gerund)

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

Example

Untensing helps in releasing stress and tension.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To untense (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To untense is important for relaxation.

  To untense is important for relaxation.

  • "*To untense*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for relaxation).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to untense my mind.

  She wants me to untense my mind.

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

  I need a quiet environment to untense.

  I need a quiet environment to untense.

  • "*To untense*" modifies the noun "environment."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a quiet environment *to untense*).

Untensing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Untensing is an effective way to relax.

  Untensing is an effective way to relax.

  • "*Untensing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an effective way to relax).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy untensing my body through yoga.

  I enjoy untensing my body through yoga.

  • "*Untensing* my body through yoga" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*untensing* my body through yoga).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for untensing.

  She has a passion for untensing.

  • "For *untensing*" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *untensing*).

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

• hope
• plan
• want
• choose
• decide

Example

They hope to untense their bodies through yoga and meditation.

She plans to untense her muscles with a massage.

He wants to untense his mind through mindfulness exercises.

We chose to untense our bodies through deep breathing techniques.

They decided to untense their muscles by practicing relaxation techniques.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• enjoy
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

They recommend regular untensing exercises for stress relief.

She enjoys untensing her mind through meditation.

He avoids untensing his muscles by overworking.

I am considering untensing my body with a hot bath.

Can you imagine yourself untensing in a peaceful garden?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to untense her body with a warm cup of tea. She likes untensing her body with a warm cup of tea.

We started to untense our muscles with stretching exercises. We started untensing our muscles with stretching exercises.

He began to untense his mind through mindfulness meditation. He began untensing his mind through mindfulness meditation.