To Contradict vs Contradicting 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 contradict (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to contradict my own beliefs.

Contradicting (Gerund)

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

Example

Contradicting others can lead to misunderstandings.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To contradict (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To contradict is not always a bad thing.

  To contradict is not always a bad thing.

  • "*To contradict*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adverb phrase (not always a bad thing).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to contradict her statement.

  She wants me to contradict her statement.

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

  I need evidence to contradict his claim.

  I need evidence to contradict his claim.

  • "Evidence *to contradict* his claim" modifies the noun "need."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (evidence *to contradict* his claim).

Contradicting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Contradicting his statement was necessary.

  Contradicting his statement was necessary.

  • "*Contradicting* his statement" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + adjective (necessary).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy contradicting people in debates.

  I enjoy contradicting people in debates.

  • "*Contradicting* people in debates" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*contradicting* people in debates).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of contradicting others.

  She has a habit of contradicting others.

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

• decide
• wish
• demand
• attempt
• pretend

Example

They decided to contradict their previous decision.

He wishes to contradict the popular opinion.

We demand to contradict the false accusations.

She attempted to contradict his argument.

They pretend to contradict each other for fun.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• delay

Example

He avoids contradicting his superiors.

They consider contradicting the norms of society.

I recommend contradicting misinformation.

Do you mind contradicting your own beliefs?

She delayed contradicting his statement until later.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to contradict conventional wisdom. I like contradicting others in debates.

He started to contradict the popular opinion. He started contradicting others regularly.

We began to contradict the false claims. We began contradicting the misleading information.