To Disagree vs Disagreeing 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 disagree (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to disagree with you because I agree with your point.

Disagreeing (Gerund)

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

Example

Disagreeing with others can lead to healthy debates and new perspectives.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To disagree (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To disagree is not always a bad thing.

  To disagree is not always a bad thing.

  • "*To disagree*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adverb phrase (not always a bad thing).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to disagree with her decision.

  She wants me to disagree with her decision.

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

  I need a different perspective to disagree effectively.

  I need a different perspective to disagree effectively.

  • "*To disagree* effectively" modifies the noun "perspective."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a different perspective *to disagree* effectively).

Disagreeing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Disagreeing with authority is sometimes necessary.

  Disagreeing with authority is sometimes necessary.

  • "*Disagreeing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adverb phrase (sometimes necessary).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy disagreeing with my friends about movies.

  I enjoy disagreeing with my friends about movies.

  • "*Disagreeing* with my friends about movies" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*disagreeing* with my friends about movies).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a fear of disagreeing with authority figures.

  He has a fear of disagreeing with authority figures.

  • "Of *disagreeing* with authority figures" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *disagreeing* with authority figures).

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

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• offer

Example

They plan to disagree with the proposed changes.

He hopes to disagree with the outcome of the meeting.

We want to disagree on the best course of action.

She decided to disagree with the majority opinion.

They offered to disagree respectfully and provide alternative solutions.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

They enjoy disagreeing on various topics for intellectual stimulation.

I recommend open-mindedness when disagreeing with others.

She avoids unnecessary conflicts by disagreeing respectfully.

We consider disagreeing as an opportunity for growth.

Can you imagine yourself disagreeing with your favorite author?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He doesn't like to disagree with his colleagues. He doesn't like disagreeing with his colleagues.

She started to disagree more assertively. She started disagreeing more assertively.

They began to disagree on important matters. They began disagreeing on important matters.