To Despise vs Despising 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 despise (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to despise anyone based on their appearance.

Despising (Gerund)

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

Example

Despising others only brings negativity into your life.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To despise (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To despise is a strong emotion.

  To despise is a strong emotion.

  • "*To despise*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a strong emotion).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to despise him for his actions.

  She wants me to despise him for his actions.

  • "Me *to despise* him for his actions" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to despise* him for his actions).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a reason to despise him.

  I need a reason to despise him.

  • "*To despise* him" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reason *to despise* him).

Despising (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Despising others is not productive.

  Despising others is not productive.

  • "*Despising* others" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not productive).
• 2. Object

  I can't help despising his arrogant attitude.

  I can't help despising his arrogant attitude.

  • "*Despising* his arrogant attitude" is the object of the verb "can't help."
  • Noun (I) + verb (can't help) + gerund (*despising* his arrogant attitude).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of despising those who disagree with her.

  She has a habit of despising those who disagree with her.

  • "Of *despising* those who disagree with her" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *despising* those who disagree with her).

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
• wish
• pretend
• refuse
• demand

Example

They agreed to despise the corrupt politician.

I wish to despise injustice and inequality.

He pretends to despise material possessions.

We refuse to despise people based on their beliefs.

She demands to despise discrimination and prejudice.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• imagine
• resist

Example

He avoids despising others because it only brings negativity.

They consider despising as a waste of time and energy.

I recommend despising hate and promoting love instead.

Can you imagine yourself despising someone without knowing them?

She resists despising those who have different opinions.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I like to despise unfairness. I like despising unfairness.

He began to despise the corrupt system. He began despising the corrupt system.

They continue to despise inequality. They continue despising inequality.