When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To deny (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to deny" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
She refused to deny her involvement in the scandal.
Denying (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "denying" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Denying the truth will only make things worse.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To deny (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To deny is a common defense mechanism.
To deny is a common defense mechanism.
- "*To deny*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common defense mechanism).
- 2Object
He wants her to deny the allegations.
He wants her to deny the allegations.
- "Her *to deny* the allegations" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (her *to deny* the allegations).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a valid reason to deny his request.
I need a valid reason to deny his request.
- "*To deny* his request" modifies the noun "reason."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a valid reason *to deny* his request).
Denying (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Denying responsibility is not an honorable act.
Denying responsibility is not an honorable act.
- "*Denying* responsibility" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not an honorable act).
- 2Object
She regrets denying her feelings for him.
She regrets denying her feelings for him.
- "*Denying* her feelings for him" is the object of the verb "regrets."
- Noun (She) + verb (regrets) + gerund (*denying* her feelings for him).
- 3Object of Preposition
He was accused of denying access to important information.
He was accused of denying access to important information.
- "*Denying* access to important information" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (was accused of) + noun phrase (*denying* access to important information).
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
Example
They planned to deny any involvement in the incident.
She hopes to deny the accusations against her.
He wants to deny any wrongdoing.
We decided to deny access to unauthorized personnel.
They agreed to deny him entry into the club.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys denying herself of unnecessary luxuries.
They recommend denying access to unauthorized users.
I dislike denying myself of the things I love.
He avoids denying his mistakes.
Can you imagine denying the truth in front of everyone?
