To Defend vs Defending 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 defend (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to defend my team's honor.

Defending (Gerund)

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

Example

Defending requires a lot of skill and teamwork.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To defend (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To defend is his main goal in this game.

  To defend is his main goal in this game.

  • "*To defend*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his main goal in this game).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to defend her reputation.

  She wants me to defend her reputation.

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

  I need a strong defense to defend against the opponent's attacks.

  I need a strong defense to defend against the opponent's attacks.

  • "*To defend* against the opponent's attacks" modifies the noun "defense."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong defense *to defend* against the opponent's attacks).

Defending (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Defending is an essential part of the game.

  Defending is an essential part of the game.

  • "*Defending*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential part of the game).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy defending my team's goal.

  I enjoy defending my team's goal.

  • "*Defending* my team's goal" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*defending* my team's goal).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for defending against strong opponents.

  She has a talent for defending against strong opponents.

  • "For *defending* against strong opponents" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *defending* against strong opponents).

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

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

He plans to defend his title in the upcoming tournament.

They hope to defend their home turf against the rival team.

She wants to defend her position in the game.

We decided to defend our strategy during the match.

They agreed to defend each other's goals in the game.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys defending his teammates during the game.

They recommend regular defending drills for better defensive skills.

I dislike the idea of defending in unfavorable weather conditions.

She avoids defending against aggressive players.

Can you imagine yourself defending in a high-pressure situation?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He likes to defend his teammates on the field. He likes defending his teammates on the field.

We started to defend our title from last season. We started defending our title from last season.

She began to defend her position with determination. She began defending her position with determination.