To Consent vs Consenting 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 consent (Infinitive)

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

Example

I consented to join the committee.

Consenting (Gerund)

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

Example

Consenting to their request was a difficult decision.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To consent (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To consent is an important part of the decision-making process.

  To consent is an important part of the decision-making process.

  • "*To consent*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important part of the decision-making process).
• 2. Object

  She asked him to consent to the proposal.

  She asked him to consent to the proposal.

  • "Him *to consent* to the proposal" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to consent* to the proposal).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  They need a written agreement to consent to the terms.

  They need a written agreement to consent to the terms.

  • "*To consent* to the terms" modifies the noun "agreement."
  • Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a written agreement *to consent* to the terms).

Consenting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Consenting to their demands would set a dangerous precedent.

  Consenting to their demands would set a dangerous precedent.

  • "*Consenting* to their demands" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (would set) + noun phrase (a dangerous precedent).
• 2. Object

  He avoids consenting to unreasonable requests.

  He avoids consenting to unreasonable requests.

  • "*Consenting* to unreasonable requests" is the object of the verb "avoids."
  • Noun (He) + verb (avoids) + gerund (*consenting* to unreasonable requests).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are open to consenting to a compromise.

  They are open to consenting to a compromise.

  • "*Consenting* to a compromise" is the object of the preposition "to."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are open to) + noun phrase (*consenting* to a compromise).

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
• plan
• refuse
• want

Example

He agreed to consent to the contract terms.

She promised to consent to the changes.

We are planning to consent to the new regulations.

They refused to consent to the proposal.

I want to consent to the terms and conditions.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• recommend
• avoid
• delay
• imagine

Example

We are considering consenting to their proposal.

The board recommends consenting to the request.

She tries to avoid consenting to unnecessary expenses.

He delayed consenting to the project until further information is received.

Can you imagine consenting to such unreasonable demands?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

They would like to consent to the agreement. They would like consenting to the agreement.

She began to consent to their requests. She began consenting to their requests.

We will continue to consent to their proposals. We will continue consenting to their proposals.