To Cancel vs Canceling 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 cancel (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to cancel my flight because of a scheduling conflict.

Canceling (Gerund)

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

Example

Canceling is not recommended unless absolutely necessary.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To cancel (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To cancel is the only option in this situation.

  To cancel is the only option in this situation.

  • "*To cancel*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the only option).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to cancel the reservation.

  She wants me to cancel the reservation.

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

  I need a valid reason to cancel my subscription.

  I need a valid reason to cancel my subscription.

  • "*To cancel* my subscription" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a valid reason *to cancel* my subscription).

Canceling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Canceling should be done in advance.

  Canceling should be done in advance.

  • "*Canceling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (should be) + verb phrase (done in advance).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy canceling unnecessary subscriptions.

  I enjoy canceling unnecessary subscriptions.

  • "*Canceling* unnecessary subscriptions" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*canceling* unnecessary subscriptions).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He apologized for canceling the meeting.

  He apologized for canceling the meeting.

  • "For *canceling* the meeting" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (apologized) + preposition (for) + gerund (*canceling* the meeting).

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
• want
• plan
• refuse
• attempt

Example

We decided to cancel our plans for the weekend.

He wants to cancel his gym membership.

She plans to cancel the meeting due to lack of attendance.

They refused to cancel the event despite the bad weather.

I attempted to cancel my order, but it was already shipped.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• postpone
• deny

Example

She avoids canceling plans at the last minute.

They are considering canceling the project due to budget constraints.

I recommend canceling unnecessary subscriptions to save money.

We had to postpone the event, leading to canceling all related reservations.

He denied canceling the contract without proper notification.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to cancel my appointment. I would like canceling my appointment.

They started to cancel their subscriptions. They started canceling their subscriptions.

She began to cancel her membership. She began canceling her membership.