To Abdicate vs Abdication 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 abdicate (Infinitive)

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

Example

The king decided to abdicate the throne and retire from his duties.

Abdication (Gerund)

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

Example

The king's abdication surprised the nation.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To abdicate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To abdicate is a difficult decision for any monarch.

  To abdicate is a difficult decision for any monarch.

  • "*To abdicate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a difficult decision for any monarch).
• 2. Object

  They want him to abdicate the crown.

  They want him to abdicate the crown.

  • "Him *to abdicate* the crown" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (him *to abdicate* the crown).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a leader to abdicate power.

  We need a leader to abdicate power.

  • "*To abdicate* power" modifies the noun "leader."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a leader *to abdicate* power).

Abdication (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Abdication can lead to political instability.

  Abdication can lead to political instability.

  • "*Abdication*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can) + noun phrase (political instability).
• 2. Object

  We appreciate his abdication of power.

  We appreciate his abdication of power.

  • "His *abdication* of power" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
  • Noun (We) + verb (appreciate) + noun phrase (his *abdication* of power).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They discussed the consequences of his abdication.

  They discussed the consequences of his abdication.

  • "Of his *abdication*" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (discussed) + noun phrase (the consequences of his *abdication*).

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
• hope
• plan
• want
• refuse

Example

He decided to abdicate the throne and live a peaceful life.

She hopes to abdicate her responsibilities soon.

They plan to abdicate their positions in the company next year.

I want you to abdicate your role as the team captain.

He refused to abdicate his authority despite the pressure.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• postpone
• recommend
• resist
• understand

Example

They are considering the abdication of their CEO.

The committee decided to postpone the abdication announcement.

Experts recommend the abdication of outdated traditions.

He resisted the abdication of his authority.

It is important to understand the reasons behind the abdication.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She would like to abdicate her responsibilities. She would like abdication of her responsibilities.

He started to abdicate his duties gradually. He started abdication of his duties gradually.

They began to abdicate their power willingly. They began abdication of their power willingly.