To Forgive vs Forgiving 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 forgive (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to forgive him for his mistakes.

Forgiving (Gerund)

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

Example

Forgiving others is important for personal growth.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To forgive (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To forgive is a sign of maturity and strength.

  To forgive is a sign of maturity and strength.

  • "*To forgive*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of maturity and strength).
• 2. Object

  She expects me to forgive her for what she did.

  She expects me to forgive her for what she did.

  • "Me *to forgive* her for what she did" is the object of the verb "expects."
  • Noun (She) + verb (expects) + noun phrase (me *to forgive* her for what she did).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a reason to forgive her.

  He needs a reason to forgive her.

  • "*To forgive* her" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a reason *to forgive* her).

Forgiving (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Forgiving others can lead to inner peace.

  Forgiving others can lead to inner peace.

  • "*Forgiving* others" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead to) + noun phrase (inner peace).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy forgiving people and letting go of grudges.

  I enjoy forgiving people and letting go of grudges.

  • "*Forgiving* people and letting go of grudges" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*forgiving* people and letting go of grudges).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for forgiving others.

  She has a talent for forgiving others.

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

• promise
• refuse
• choose
• manage
• wish

Example

I promise to forgive you for your mistake.

She refused to forgive him for his actions.

They chose to forgive each other and move on.

We managed to forgive them for their past behavior.

He wishes to forgive himself for his past mistakes.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• postpone
• understand

Example

He avoids forgiving people who have hurt him.

They are considering forgiving their friend for betraying them.

I recommend forgiving yourself and moving forward.

She decided to postpone forgiving him until she was ready.

I understand the importance of forgiving others for my own peace of mind.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to forgive and let go of grudges. I like forgiving and letting go of grudges.

They started to forgive each other and rebuild their friendship. They started forgiving each other and rebuilding their friendship.

He began to forgive himself for past mistakes. He began forgiving himself for past mistakes.