To Detest vs Detesting 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 detest (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to detest any form of discrimination.

Detesting (Gerund)

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

Example

Detesting hatred is essential for building a peaceful society.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To detest (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To detest is a strong feeling of dislike.

  To detest is a strong feeling of dislike.

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

  She wants me to detest her ex-boyfriend.

  She wants me to detest her ex-boyfriend.

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

  I need a reason to detest this movie.

  I need a reason to detest this movie.

  • "*To detest* this movie" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reason *to detest* this movie).

Detesting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Detesting violence is a common sentiment.

  Detesting violence is a common sentiment.

  • "*Detesting* violence" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common sentiment).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy detesting dishonesty in politics.

  I enjoy detesting dishonesty in politics.

  • "*Detesting* dishonesty in politics" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*detesting* dishonesty in politics).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a fear of detesting failure.

  He has a fear of detesting failure.

  • "Of *detesting* failure" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *detesting* failure).

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
• decide
• manage
• demand
• wish

Example

They hope to detest any form of injustice.

We decided to detest such behavior.

He managed to detest his ex-partner's lies.

She demanded to detest the mistreatment of animals.

I wish to detest the negative impact of pollution.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• practice
• resist

Example

They avoid detesting others' opinions.

I recommend detesting harmful habits.

She considered detesting prejudice and discrimination.

He practices detesting negativity and toxicity.

We resist detesting differences and diversity.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• stop

Example

I would like to detest any form of injustice. I would like detesting violence.

They began to detest the unfair treatment. They began detesting discrimination.

She cannot stop to detest corruption. She cannot stop detesting dishonesty.