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

I refuse to denounce my beliefs.

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 an act of bravery.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To denounce (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To denounce corruption is essential for a just society.

  To denounce corruption is essential for a just society.

  • "*To denounce* corruption" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for a just society).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to denounce the injustice.

  She wants me to denounce the injustice.

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

  We need a leader to denounce the wrongdoing.

  We need a leader to denounce the wrongdoing.

  • "*To denounce* the wrongdoing" modifies the noun "leader."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a leader *to denounce* the wrongdoing).

Denouncing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Denouncing injustice requires courage and determination.

  Denouncing injustice requires courage and determination.

  • "*Denouncing* injustice" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (courage and determination).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy denouncing unfair practices.

  I enjoy denouncing unfair practices.

  • "*Denouncing* unfair practices" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*denouncing* unfair practices).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for denouncing social inequality.

  She has a passion for denouncing social inequality.

  • "For *denouncing* social inequality" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *denouncing* social inequality).

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

• hope
• want
• decide
• attempt
• choose

Example

I hope to denounce the injustice and bring about change.

They want to denounce the corrupt practices in the government.

We have decided to denounce the discrimination and fight for equality.

He attempted to denounce the human rights violations in his speech.

She chose to denounce the oppressive regime and stand up for freedom.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• mind

Example

Many activists consider denouncing corruption as their duty.

Experts recommend denouncing unethical behavior in the workplace.

It's important to avoid denouncing others without evidence.

Can you imagine the impact of denouncing human rights abuses?

I don't mind denouncing the wrongdoing if it brings justice.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to denounce any form of discrimination. They like denouncing any form of discrimination.

We started to denounce the corrupt practices in our community. We started denouncing the corrupt practices in our community.

He began to denounce the oppressive regime. He began denouncing the oppressive regime.