To Despond vs Desponding 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 despond (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to despond in the face of adversity.

Desponding (Gerund)

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

Example

Desponding will only make the situation worse.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To despond (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To despond is not an option for me.

  To despond is not an option for me.

  • "*To despond*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not an option for me).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to despond with her.

  She wants me to despond with her.

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

  I need a strong mindset to despond in difficult times.

  I need a strong mindset to despond in difficult times.

  • "*To despond* in difficult times" modifies the noun "mindset."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong mindset *to despond* in difficult times).

Desponding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Desponding is not helpful in any way.

  Desponding is not helpful in any way.

  • "*Desponding*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not helpful in any way).
• 2. Object

  I dislike desponding about things I cannot change.

  I dislike desponding about things I cannot change.

  • "*Desponding* about things I cannot change" is the object of the verb "dislike."
  • Noun (I) + verb (dislike) + gerund (*desponding* about things I cannot change).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of desponding in difficult situations.

  She has a fear of desponding in difficult situations.

  • "Of *desponding* in difficult situations" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *desponding* in difficult situations).

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
• choose
• refuse
• attempt

Example

They hope to despond together and find a solution.

He wants to despond about the situation.

We choose to despond or to persevere.

I refuse to despond and will keep fighting.

She attempted to despond but decided to stay positive.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• resist

Example

He avoids desponding by focusing on solutions.

They consider desponding as a sign of weakness.

I recommend desponding as a last resort.

Do you mind desponding with me for a moment?

She resists desponding and stays optimistic.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to despond in private. I like desponding when I need to let out my emotions.

He started to despond after the disappointing news. He started desponding after the disappointing news.

We began to despond when things became overwhelming. We began desponding when things became overwhelming.