To Denounce vs Denouncing 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 denounce (Infinitive)

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

Example

She refused to denounce her colleagues despite the pressure.

Denouncing (Gerund)

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

Example

Denouncing corruption is essential for a just society.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To denounce (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To denounce is an act of bravery.

  To denounce is an act of bravery.

  • "*To denounce*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an act of bravery).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to denounce the injustice.

  He wants me to denounce the injustice.

  • "Me *to denounce* the injustice" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to denounce* the injustice).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need evidence to denounce their actions.

  I need evidence to denounce their actions.

  • "*To denounce* their actions" modifies the noun "evidence."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (evidence *to denounce* their actions).

Denouncing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Denouncing unethical behavior is important in the workplace.

  Denouncing unethical behavior is important in the workplace.

  • "*Denouncing* unethical behavior" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important in the workplace).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys denouncing political hypocrisy.

  She enjoys denouncing political hypocrisy.

  • "*Denouncing* political hypocrisy" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*denouncing* political hypocrisy).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are committed to the cause of denouncing human rights abuses.

  They are committed to the cause of denouncing human rights abuses.

  • "Of *denouncing* human rights abuses" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are) + noun phrase (the cause of *denouncing* human rights abuses).

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

• agree
• refuse
• demand
• deserve
• wish

Example

They agreed to denounce the corrupt practices.

He refused to denounce his beliefs under any circumstances.

The protesters demanded the government to denounce the violence.

They deserve to denounce the discrimination they face.

I wish to denounce the injustice and create change.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• postpone
• mind

Example

He avoids denouncing his colleagues' mistakes in public.

We are considering denouncing the unfair treatment.

Experts recommend denouncing illegal activities.

They decided to postpone denouncing the controversial decision.

I don't mind denouncing the wrongdoings of those in power.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to denounce corruption wherever she finds it. She likes denouncing corruption wherever she finds it.

They started to denounce social injustice. They started denouncing social injustice.

He began to denounce government corruption. He began denouncing government corruption.