To Accept vs Accepting 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 accept (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to accept the job offer.

Accepting (Gerund)

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

Example

Accepting criticism can be beneficial for personal growth.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To accept (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To accept the invitation is a polite gesture.

  To accept the invitation is a polite gesture.

  • "*To accept* the invitation" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a polite gesture).
• 2. Object

  She asked me to accept her apology.

  She asked me to accept her apology.

  • "Me *to accept* her apology" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to accept* her apology).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a pen to accept the terms.

  He needs a pen to accept the terms.

  • "*To accept* the terms" modifies the noun "pen."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a pen *to accept* the terms).

Accepting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Accepting feedback is important for improvement.

  Accepting feedback is important for improvement.

  • "*Accepting* feedback" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important for improvement).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys accepting new challenges.

  She enjoys accepting new challenges.

  • "*Accepting* new challenges" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*accepting* new challenges).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a fear of accepting failure.

  They have a fear of accepting failure.

  • "Of *accepting* failure" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a fear of *accepting* failure).

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

• offer
• plan
• refuse
• hope
• choose

Example

They offered me the opportunity to accept the challenge.

We plan to accept the award graciously.

She refused to accept the gift from him.

I hope to accept the invitation to their party.

He chose to accept the responsibility for the project.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• delay
• imagine

Example

He avoids accepting help from others.

They recommend accepting the terms and conditions before proceeding.

I am considering accepting the job offer.

She delayed accepting the invitation until she was available.

Can you imagine yourself accepting the challenge?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They would like to accept the proposal. They would like accepting the proposal.

He started to accept more responsibilities at work. He started accepting more responsibilities at work.

We began to accept donations for the charity. We began accepting donations for the charity.