To Decline vs Declining 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 decline (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to decline the invitation to the party.

Declining (Gerund)

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

Example

Declining the offer was a difficult decision for him.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To decline (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To decline is not an easy decision to make.

  To decline is not an easy decision to make.

  • "*To decline*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not an easy decision to make).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to decline the job offer.

  She wants me to decline the job offer.

  • "Me *to decline* the job offer" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to decline* the job offer).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a valid reason to decline the invitation.

  I need a valid reason to decline the invitation.

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

Declining (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Declining their invitation was not an easy choice.

  Declining their invitation was not an easy choice.

  • "*Declining* their invitation" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (not an easy choice).
• 2. Object

  I regret declining the opportunity.

  I regret declining the opportunity.

  • "*Declining* the opportunity" is the object of the verb "regret."
  • Noun (I) + verb (regret) + gerund (*declining* the opportunity).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has no problem with declining their requests.

  She has no problem with declining their requests.

  • "With *declining* their requests" is the object of the preposition "with."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (no problem with *declining* their requests).

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

• offer
• decide
• plan
• wish
• pretend

Example

He offered to decline the promotion.

They decided to decline the request.

We are planning to decline the offer.

I wish to decline the responsibility.

She pretends to decline any help.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• imagine
• mind

Example

He avoids declining social invitations.

They are considering declining the job offer.

I recommend declining unhealthy habits.

Can you imagine declining such a great opportunity?

I don't mind declining the extra workload.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She doesn't like to decline any invitations. She doesn't like declining any invitations.

He began to decline offers that didn't align with his values. He began declining offers that didn't align with his values.

They continue to decline requests for donations. They continue declining requests for donations.