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

She decided to abort the mission due to safety concerns.

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.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To abort (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To abort is a difficult decision to make.

  To abort is a difficult decision to make.

  • "*To abort*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a difficult decision to make).
• 2. Object

  They want us to abort the project.

  They want us to abort the project.

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

  He needs a valid reason to abort the operation.

  He needs a valid reason to abort the operation.

  • "*To abort* the operation" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a valid reason *to abort* the operation).

Aborting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Aborting the operation was necessary.

  Aborting the operation was necessary.

  • "*Aborting* the operation" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (necessary).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy aborting faulty plans.

  I enjoy aborting faulty plans.

  • "*Aborting* faulty plans" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*aborting* faulty plans).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They discussed the implications of aborting the project.

  They discussed the implications of aborting the project.

  • "Of *aborting* the project" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (discussed) + noun phrase (the implications of *aborting* the project).

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

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

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

I hope to abort the mission before it's too late.

She wants him to abort the risky experiment.

They decided to abort the mission for safety reasons.

We agreed to abort the project due to financial constraints.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• recommend
• avoid
• delay
• deny

Example

We are considering aborting the mission due to technical difficulties.

Experts recommend aborting the plan to avoid potential risks.

He avoids aborting projects without proper justification.

They delayed aborting the program until further evaluation.

The committee denied aborting the proposed changes.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to abort projects that are not feasible. She likes aborting projects that are not feasible.

We started to abort the mission when we realized the dangers. We started aborting the mission when we realized the dangers.

He began to abort the operation after encountering unexpected obstacles. He began aborting the operation after encountering unexpected obstacles.