To Cancel vs Cancelling 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 want to cancel my subscription because I don't use it anymore.

Cancelling (Gerund)

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

Example

Cancelling the event was a difficult decision.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To cancel (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To cancel is a difficult decision to make.

  To cancel is a difficult decision to make.

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

  She asked me to cancel the meeting.

  She asked me to cancel the meeting.

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

  I need a valid reason to cancel my flight.

  I need a valid reason to cancel my flight.

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

Cancelling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Cancelling the project was necessary due to budget constraints.

  Cancelling the project was necessary due to budget constraints.

  • "*Cancelling* the project" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (necessary due to budget constraints).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy cancelling plans and having a quiet evening.

  I enjoy cancelling plans and having a quiet evening.

  • "*Cancelling* plans and having a quiet evening" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*cancelling* plans and having a quiet evening).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He apologized for cancelling the meeting at the last minute.

  He apologized for cancelling the meeting at the last minute.

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

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
• hope
• want
• choose
• demand

Example

They decided to cancel their vacation plans.

He hopes to cancel the appointment and reschedule it.

She wants to cancel the order and get a refund.

We chose to cancel the event due to bad weather.

The customers demanded to cancel their subscriptions.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• postpone
• delay

Example

She avoids cancelling appointments unless absolutely necessary.

They recommend cancelling non-essential events during a crisis.

I am considering cancelling my subscription due to the high cost.

He decided to cancel the trip rather than postponing it.

The company had to cancel the product launch due to delaying production.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to cancel my membership. I would like cancelling my membership.

They started to cancel their subscriptions. They started cancelling their subscriptions.

She began to cancel her appointments. She began cancelling her appointments.