To Untrain vs Untraining 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 untrain (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to untrain my dog from jumping on the furniture.

Untraining (Gerund)

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

Example

Untraining a dog requires time and consistency.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To untrain (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To untrain a dog takes patience and consistency.

  To untrain a dog takes patience and consistency.

  • "*To untrain* a dog" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (takes) + noun phrase (patience and consistency).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to untrain her dog.

  She wants me to untrain her dog.

  • "Me *to untrain* her dog" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to untrain* her dog).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a professional to untrain my dog.

  I need a professional to untrain my dog.

  • "*To untrain* my dog" modifies the noun "professional."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a professional *to untrain* my dog).

Untraining (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Untraining dogs can be challenging but rewarding.

  Untraining dogs can be challenging but rewarding.

  • "*Untraining* dogs" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective phrase (challenging but rewarding).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy untraining my dog.

  I enjoy untraining my dog.

  • "*Untraining* my dog" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*untraining* my dog).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for untraining animals.

  She has a talent for untraining animals.

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

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

• decide
• attempt
• hope
• refuse
• struggle

Example

We decided to untrain our cat from scratching the furniture.

He attempted to untrain his dog from barking at strangers.

They hope to untrain their puppy from chewing on shoes.

She refused to untrain her cat from climbing the curtains.

I struggle to untrain my dog from begging at the table.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• imagine

Example

He avoids untraining his cat from scratching the furniture.

They recommend positive reinforcement when untraining dogs.

I am considering untraining my dog from pulling on the leash.

Do you mind untraining your dog from jumping on people?

Can you imagine yourself untraining a wild horse?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to untrain her dog from bad habits. She likes untraining her dog from bad habits.

We started to untrain our puppy from biting. We started untraining our puppy from biting.

He began to untrain his cat from scratching the furniture. He began untraining his cat from scratching the furniture.