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 wise decision.

  To ignore is not a wise decision.

  • "*To ignore*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (not a wise decision).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to ignore the negative comments.

  She wants me to ignore the negative comments.

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

  He needs a distraction to ignore his worries.

  He needs a distraction to ignore his worries.

  • "*To ignore* his worries" modifies the noun "distraction."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a distraction *to ignore* his worries).

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 can't stand ignoring important details.

  I can't stand ignoring important details.

  • "*Ignoring* important details" is the object of the verb "can't stand."
  • Noun (I) + verb (can't stand) + gerund (*ignoring* important details).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He apologized for ignoring her calls.

  He apologized for ignoring her calls.

  • "For *ignoring* her calls" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (apologized) + preposition (for) + gerund (*ignoring* her calls).

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

• decide
• pretend
• want
• refuse
• attempt

Example

We decided to ignore their rude behavior.

She pretends to ignore him when he's being annoying.

He wants to ignore the negative opinions of others.

They refuse to ignore the warning signs.

We attempted to ignore the distractions and focus on our work.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• postpone
• understand

Example

She avoids ignoring the warning signs.

They consider ignoring the problem as a temporary solution.

I recommend ignoring the negative comments and focusing on your goals.

He postponed ignoring the issue until later.

We understand the importance of not ignoring our responsibilities.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to ignore unnecessary distractions. I like ignoring unnecessary distractions.

They started to ignore the gossip around them. They started ignoring the gossip around them.

She began to ignore the negative comments from others. She began ignoring the negative comments from others.