To Deny vs Denying 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 deny (Infinitive)

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

Example

She decided to deny the allegations against her.

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 allegations will only make matters worse.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To deny (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To deny is not an option in this situation.

  To deny is not an option in this situation.

  • "*To deny*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not an option in this situation).
• 2. Object

  He asked me to deny any involvement in the incident.

  He asked me to deny any involvement in the incident.

  • "Me *to deny* any involvement in the incident" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (He) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to deny* any involvement in the incident).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  They need a valid reason to deny entry to the party.

  They need a valid reason to deny entry to the party.

  • "*To deny* entry to the party" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a valid reason *to deny* entry to the party).

Denying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Denying is not recommended in this situation.

  Denying is not recommended in this situation.

  • "*Denying*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not recommended in this situation).
• 2. Object

  She regrets denying her true feelings for so long.

  She regrets denying her true feelings for so long.

  • "*Denying* her true feelings for so long" is the object of the verb "regrets."
  • Noun (She) + verb (regrets) + gerund (*denying* her true feelings for so long).
• 3. Object 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

• refuse
• demand
• attempt
• pretend
• choose

Example

He refused to deny his involvement in the scandal.

The prosecutor demanded him to deny the charges.

She attempted to deny any wrongdoing.

He pretended to deny knowing anything about the stolen goods.

They chose to deny access to unauthorized users.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• understand

Example

They avoid denying responsibility for their actions.

I am considering denying their request for a refund.

Experts recommend denying yourself certain indulgences for better health.

Do you mind denying yourself a little bit for the sake of others?

I understand denying oneself certain pleasures in order to achieve a goal.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She would like to deny any involvement in the incident. She would like denying any involvement in the incident.

We started to deny rumors about our company. We started denying rumors about our company.

He began to deny the accusations against him. He began denying the accusations against him.