To Fail vs Failing 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 fail (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to fail the exam, so I'm studying hard.

Failing (Gerund)

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

Example

Failing the exam was a huge disappointment for him.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To fail (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To fail is not an option for me.

  To fail is not an option for me.

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

  She doesn't want him to fail the project.

  She doesn't want him to fail the project.

  • "Him *to fail* the project" is the object of the verb "doesn't want."
  • Noun (She) + verb (doesn't want) + noun phrase (him *to fail* the project).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a backup plan to fail the mission.

  We need a backup plan to fail the mission.

  • "*To fail* the mission" modifies the noun "backup plan."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a backup plan *to fail* the mission).

Failing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Failing is a part of the learning process.

  Failing is a part of the learning process.

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

  She regrets failing the interview.

  She regrets failing the interview.

  • "*Failing* the interview" is the object of the verb "regrets."
  • Noun (She) + verb (regrets) + gerund (*failing* the interview).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  I have no fear of failing.

  I have no fear of failing.

  • "Of *failing*" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (I) + verb (have) + noun phrase (no fear of *failing*).

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
• refuse

Example

He plans to fail the test on purpose.

I hope not to fail my driving test.

They want me to fail the competition.

She decided to fail the class and take it again next semester.

He refuses to fail his team by making mistakes.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• imagine

Example

He avoids failing by double-checking his work.

We are considering the consequences of failing the project.

Experts recommend seeking help to prevent failing in difficult subjects.

I don't mind failing as long as I learn from my mistakes.

Can you imagine failing after all the effort you put in?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to fail gracefully if it comes to that. I would like failing to be a learning experience.

They started to fail miserably once they lost focus. They started failing miserably once they lost focus.

She began to fail consistently after changing her study routine. She began failing consistently after changing her study routine.