To Abort vs Aborting 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 abort (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to abort the mission because of the potential risks involved.

Aborting (Gerund)

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

Example

Aborting the mission was a difficult decision to make.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To abort (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To abort would be a last resort in this situation.

  To abort would be a last resort in this situation.

  • "*To abort*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (would be) + noun phrase (a last resort in this situation).
• 2. Object

  They want us to abort the project immediately.

  They want us to abort the project immediately.

  • "Us *to abort* the project immediately" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to abort* the project immediately).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a valid reason to abort the mission.

  We need a valid reason to abort the mission.

  • "*To abort* the mission" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a valid reason *to abort* the mission).

Aborting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Aborting the mission would have serious consequences.

  Aborting the mission would have serious consequences.

  • "*Aborting* the mission" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (would have) + noun phrase (serious consequences).
• 2. Object

  I regret aborting the project without proper evaluation.

  I regret aborting the project without proper evaluation.

  • "*Aborting* the project without proper evaluation" is the object of the verb "regret."
  • Noun (I) + verb (regret) + gerund (*aborting* the project without proper evaluation).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She admitted to aborting the mission prematurely.

  She admitted to aborting the mission prematurely.

  • "To *aborting* the mission prematurely" is the object of the preposition "to."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (admitted to) + gerund (*aborting* the mission prematurely).

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
• plan
• refuse
• hope
• want

Example

We decided to abort the mission due to unforeseen circumstances.

They plan to abort the launch if the weather conditions worsen.

She refuses to abort the operation despite the challenges.

He hopes to abort the mission if necessary.

We want to abort the project and start fresh.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• recommend
• avoid
• postpone
• delay

Example

They are considering aborting the project due to budget constraints.

Experts recommend aborting the mission for safety reasons.

He avoids aborting any experiments without proper supervision.

We decided to postpone aborting the operation until further notice.

The team delayed aborting the mission until they received more information.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I would like to abort this mission as soon as possible. I would like aborting this mission as soon as possible.

They began to abort the project after encountering multiple obstacles. They began aborting the project after encountering multiple obstacles.

We will continue to abort any attempts that do not meet our standards. We will continue aborting any attempts that do not meet our standards.