To Exempt vs Exempting 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 exempt (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to exempt myself from the new policy.

Exempting (Gerund)

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

Example

Exempting certain individuals can create controversy.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To exempt (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To exempt is a difficult decision to make.

  To exempt is a difficult decision to make.

  • "*To exempt*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a difficult decision to make).
• 2. Object

  They expect us to exempt them from the rule.

  They expect us to exempt them from the rule.

  • "Us *to exempt* them from the rule" is the object of the verb "expect."
  • Noun (They) + verb (expect) + noun phrase (us *to exempt* them from the rule).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a valid reason to exempt certain individuals.

  We need a valid reason to exempt certain individuals.

  • "*To exempt* certain individuals" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a valid reason *to exempt* certain individuals).

Exempting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Exempting is a complex process.

  Exempting is a complex process.

  • "*Exempting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a complex process).
• 2. Object

  We appreciate you exempting us from the requirement.

  We appreciate you exempting us from the requirement.

  • "*Exempting* us from the requirement" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
  • Noun (We) + verb (appreciate) + gerund (*exempting* us from the requirement).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has experience in exempting certain individuals.

  She has experience in exempting certain individuals.

  • "In *exempting* certain individuals" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience in *exempting* certain individuals).

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
• refuse
• determine
• demand
• wish

Example

She plans to exempt herself from the new regulation.

He refuses to exempt anyone from the policy.

They determined to exempt certain groups from the requirement.

We demand to exempt our team from the new rule.

I wish to exempt myself from the upcoming changes.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• recommend
• avoid
• delay
• deny

Example

They are considering exempting certain categories of employees.

Experts recommend exempting small businesses from the regulation.

We should avoid exempting specific groups without justification.

The committee decided to delay exempting anyone until further discussion.

They denied exempting him from the requirement.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to exempt myself from the new policy. I would like exempting certain individuals from the new policy.

He started to exempt certain groups from the regulation. He started exempting certain groups from the regulation.

She began to exempt individuals based on specific criteria. She began exempting individuals based on specific criteria.