To Admit vs Admitting 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 admit (Infinitive)

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

Example

She admits to making a mistake.

Admitting (Gerund)

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

Example

Admitting your mistakes shows maturity.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To admit (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To admit is not always easy.

  To admit is not always easy.

  • "*To admit*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adverb (not) + adjective (always easy).
• 2. Object

  He wants her to admit the truth.

  He wants her to admit the truth.

  • "Her *to admit* the truth" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (her *to admit* the truth).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  They need a reason to admit their mistake.

  They need a reason to admit their mistake.

  • "*To admit* their mistake" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reason *to admit* their mistake).

Admitting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Admitting your faults is important for personal growth.

  Admitting your faults is important for personal growth.

  • "*Admitting* your faults" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for personal growth).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys admitting her weaknesses.

  She enjoys admitting her weaknesses.

  • "*Admitting* her weaknesses" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*admitting* her weaknesses).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He apologized for admitting the truth.

  He apologized for admitting the truth.

  • "For *admitting* the truth" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun (He) + verb (apologized) + preposition (for) + gerund (*admitting* the truth).

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
• choose
• pretend

Example

I hope to admit my guilt and seek forgiveness.

She wants to admit her feelings for him.

They decided to admit their involvement in the incident.

He chose to admit defeat and move on.

We can't pretend to admit ignorance about the situation.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• delay
• deny

Example

They avoid admitting their mistakes in public.

She is considering admitting her involvement in the project.

Experts recommend admitting your faults to improve relationships.

He delayed admitting his wrongdoing until it was too late.

They deny admitting any wrongdoing in the matter.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I don't like to admit when I'm wrong. I don't like admitting when I'm wrong.

She began to admit her mistakes and learn from them. She began admitting her mistakes and learning from them.

They will continue to admit their faults and work on self-improvement. They will continue admitting their faults and working on self-improvement.