To Daunt vs Daunting 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 daunt (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to daunt easily and always face my fears.

Daunting (Gerund)

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

Example

Daunting challenges can often lead to personal growth.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To daunt (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To daunt others is not my intention.

  To daunt others is not my intention.

  • "*To daunt* others" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not my intention).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to daunt the challenges ahead.

  She wants me to daunt the challenges ahead.

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

  I need a strong mindset to daunt any obstacles.

  I need a strong mindset to daunt any obstacles.

  • "*To daunt* any obstacles" modifies the noun "mindset."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong mindset *to daunt* any obstacles).

Daunting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Daunting tasks require careful planning.

  Daunting tasks require careful planning.

  • "*Daunting* tasks" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (require) + noun phrase (careful planning).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy daunting myself with new adventures.

  I enjoy daunting myself with new adventures.

  • "*Daunting* myself with new adventures" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*daunting* myself with new adventures).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of daunting challenges.

  She has a fear of daunting challenges.

  • "Of *daunting* challenges" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *daunting* challenges).

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
• attempt
• refuse
• struggle
• manage

Example

I decided to daunt the difficult task and give it my best shot.

They attempted to daunt their opponents with their confident attitude.

He refused to daunt in the face of adversity.

We struggled to daunt our fears and step out of our comfort zone.

They managed to daunt their critics with their outstanding performance.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• resist
• understand

Example

He avoids daunting situations that make him uncomfortable.

They consider daunting the mountain peak as a personal achievement.

I recommend breaking down daunting tasks into smaller, manageable steps.

She resists daunting challenges and always finds a way to overcome them.

Can you understand the importance of facing daunting obstacles head-on?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to daunt myself by taking on challenging projects. I like daunting myself by taking on challenging projects.

We started to daunt our opponents with our strong performance. We started daunting our opponents with our strong performance.

He began to daunt his competitors with his exceptional skills. He began daunting his competitors with his exceptional skills.