To Ignore vs Ignoring 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 ignore (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to ignore the warning signs.

Ignoring (Gerund)

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

Example

Ignoring the problem will only make it worse.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To ignore (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To ignore is not a solution to the problem.

  To ignore is not a solution to the problem.

  • "*To ignore*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a solution to the problem).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to ignore her rude comments.

  She wants me to ignore her rude comments.

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

  He needs a quiet place to ignore distractions.

  He needs a quiet place to ignore distractions.

  • "*To ignore* distractions" modifies the noun "place."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a quiet place *to ignore* distractions).

Ignoring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Ignoring the issue won't make it go away.

  Ignoring the issue won't make it go away.

  • "*Ignoring* the issue" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (won't make) + noun phrase (it go away).
• 2. Object

  I regret ignoring her advice.

  I regret ignoring her advice.

  • "*Ignoring* her advice" is the object of the verb "regret."
  • Noun (I) + verb (regret) + gerund (*ignoring* her advice).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a habit of ignoring his responsibilities.

  He has a habit of ignoring his responsibilities.

  • "Of *ignoring* his responsibilities" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *ignoring* his responsibilities).

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
• agree

Example

They plan to ignore the negative comments and focus on their goals.

I hope to ignore the distractions and stay focused on my work.

We want to ignore the rumors and focus on the truth.

He decided to ignore the criticism and continue with his plans.

She agreed to ignore the temptation and stick to her principles.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

They enjoy ignoring their worries and living in the present moment.

I recommend ignoring negative comments and focusing on constructive feedback.

She dislikes ignoring important details and prefers thoroughness.

He avoids ignoring the warning signs and takes immediate action.

Can you imagine ignoring the opportunity of a lifetime?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to ignore the distractions and concentrate on my work. I would like ignoring the distractions and concentrating on my work.

They started to ignore the negative comments and focus on their goals. They started ignoring the negative comments and focusing on their goals.

He began to ignore the doubts and pursue his dreams. He began ignoring the doubts and pursuing his dreams.