To Damn vs Damning 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 damn (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to damn anyone for their mistakes.

Damning (Gerund)

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

Example

Damning evidence was presented in court.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To damn (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To damn is considered a grave sin in many religions.

  To damn is considered a grave sin in many religions.

  • "*To damn*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (considered a grave sin in many religions).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to damn her enemies.

  She wants me to damn her enemies.

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

  I need a strong argument to damn their claims.

  I need a strong argument to damn their claims.

  • "*To damn* their claims" modifies the noun "argument."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong argument *to damn* their claims).

Damning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Damning someone without proof is unfair.

  Damning someone without proof is unfair.

  • "*Damning* someone without proof" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (unfair).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy damning hypocrites with their own words.

  I enjoy damning hypocrites with their own words.

  • "*Damning* hypocrites with their own words" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*damning* hypocrites with their own words).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They were accused of damning innocent people.

  They were accused of damning innocent people.

  • "*Damning* innocent people" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (were accused of) + gerund (*damning* innocent people).

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

• refuse
• attempt
• pretend
• wish
• demand

Example

They refuse to damn anyone without evidence.

He attempted to damn his critics with false accusations.

She pretends to damn everything that goes against her beliefs.

I wish to damn all evil from this world.

They demand to damn those who oppose their views.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• resist
• consider
• discuss
• understand

Example

He avoids damning others for their mistakes.

She resists damning people based on rumors.

They consider damning acts as morally wrong.

We discussed the implications of damning individuals without due process.

Can you understand the consequences of damning someone unjustly?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

He likes to damn anyone who disagrees with him. She likes damning people for their mistakes.

They began to damn their opponents during the debate. We began damning their actions as unethical.

I will continue to damn injustice wherever I see it. He continues damning those who challenge his authority.