To Apologize vs Apologizing 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 apologize (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to apologize for my mistake.

Apologizing (Gerund)

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

Example

Apologizing shows that you take responsibility for your actions.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To apologize (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To apologize is the right thing to do in this situation.

  To apologize is the right thing to do in this situation.

  • "*To apologize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the right thing to do in this situation).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to apologize to her.

  She wants me to apologize to her.

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

  He needs a sincere apology to apologize for his behavior.

  He needs a sincere apology to apologize for his behavior.

  • "A sincere apology *to apologize* for his behavior" modifies the noun "apology."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a sincere apology *to apologize* for his behavior).

Apologizing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Apologizing is an important part of conflict resolution.

  Apologizing is an important part of conflict resolution.

  • "*Apologizing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important part of conflict resolution).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy apologizing when I make a mistake.

  I enjoy apologizing when I make a mistake.

  • "*Apologizing* when I make a mistake" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*apologizing* when I make a mistake).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of apologizing to others.

  She has a fear of apologizing to others.

  • "Of *apologizing* to others" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *apologizing* to others).

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

• agree
• promise
• want
• decide
• refuse

Example

They agreed to apologize for their mistake.

She promised to apologize to him later.

He wants to apologize for his actions.

We decided to apologize for the inconvenience.

They refused to apologize for their behavior.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• delay

Example

He avoids apologizing even when he's wrong.

They recommend apologizing sincerely and promptly.

I am considering apologizing for my mistake.

Do you mind apologizing for your behavior?

She delayed apologizing until the next day.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to apologize when they make a mistake. They like apologizing when they make a mistake.

He started to apologize for his actions. He started apologizing for his actions.

We began to apologize for our mistake. We began apologizing for our mistake.