To Vanish vs Vanishing 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 vanish (Infinitive)

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

Example

The magician made the rabbit vanish into thin air.

Vanishing (Gerund)

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

Example

The vanishing of the sun behind the clouds was a beautiful sight.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To vanish (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To vanish without a trace is the goal of every magician.

  To vanish without a trace is the goal of every magician.

  • "*To vanish* without a trace" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the goal of every magician).
• 2. Object

  I want the problem to vanish by tomorrow.

  I want the problem to vanish by tomorrow.

  • "The problem *to vanish* by tomorrow" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (I) + verb (want) + noun phrase (the problem *to vanish* by tomorrow).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  She needs a magic trick to vanish the card.

  She needs a magic trick to vanish the card.

  • "*To vanish* the card" modifies the noun "magic trick."
  • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a magic trick *to vanish* the card).

Vanishing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Vanishing into thin air is a common magic trick.

  Vanishing into thin air is a common magic trick.

  • "*Vanishing* into thin air" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common magic trick).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy the vanishing act in magic shows.

  I enjoy the vanishing act in magic shows.

  • "The *vanishing* act in magic shows" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (the *vanishing* act in magic shows).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a fear of vanishing without a trace.

  He has a fear of vanishing without a trace.

  • "Of *vanishing* without a trace" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *vanishing* without a trace).

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
• want
• decide
• attempt
• wish

Example

They hope to vanish all their debts someday.

He wants the stain to vanish from his shirt.

We decided to vanish from the party without saying goodbye.

She attempted to vanish from the scene unnoticed.

I wish my worries would vanish.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• imagine
• mind

Example

She avoids vanishing in front of large crowds.

They are considering the vanishing act for their next performance.

Experts recommend the vanishing technique for effective magic tricks.

Can you imagine the vanishing of an entire building?

I don't mind the vanishing of my worries.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to vanish from the stage at the end of her performance. She likes vanishing from the stage at the end of her performance.

We started to vanish objects in our magic show. We started vanishing objects in our magic show.

He began to vanish coins from behind people's ears. He began vanishing coins from behind people's ears.