To Disparage vs Disparaging 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 disparage (Infinitive)

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

Example

He refuses to disparage his opponents.

Disparaging (Gerund)

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

Example

Disparaging others only reveals one's insecurities.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To disparage (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To disparage others is not a sign of intelligence.

  To disparage others is not a sign of intelligence.

  • "*To disparage* others" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a sign of intelligence).
• 2. Object

  She doesn't want me to disparage her ideas.

  She doesn't want me to disparage her ideas.

  • "Me *to disparage* her ideas" is the object of the verb "doesn't want."
  • Noun (She) + verb (doesn't want) + noun phrase (me *to disparage* her ideas).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a platform to disparage his critics.

  He needs a platform to disparage his critics.

  • "*To disparage* his critics" modifies the noun "platform."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a platform *to disparage* his critics).

Disparaging (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Disparaging people behind their backs is rude.

  Disparaging people behind their backs is rude.

  • "*Disparaging* people behind their backs" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (rude).
• 2. Object

  I can't stand disparaging comments about my work.

  I can't stand disparaging comments about my work.

  • "*Disparaging* comments about my work" is the object of the verb "can't stand."
  • Noun (I) + verb (can't stand) + gerund (*disparaging* comments about my work).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for disparaging others.

  She has a talent for disparaging others.

  • "For *disparaging* others" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *disparaging* others).

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
• attempt
• pretend
• choose
• determine

Example

They refuse to disparage their colleagues' work.

She attempted to disparage his reputation but failed.

He pretends to disparage others to boost his own ego.

We choose not to disparage anyone based on their appearance.

They determined to disparage the competition in their marketing campaign.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• imagine
• understand

Example

He avoids disparaging his competitors in public.

They are considering disparaging remarks as a form of bullying.

I recommend not disparaging others to maintain positive relationships.

Can you imagine disparaging someone based on their appearance?

She understands the consequences of disparaging others.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

They don't like to disparage others. They don't like disparaging others.

He began to disparage his opponents during the debate. He began disparaging his opponents during the debate.

She continues to disparage his achievements. She continues disparaging his achievements.