To Kowtow vs Kowtowing 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 kowtow (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to kowtow to anyone.

Kowtowing (Gerund)

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

Example

Kowtowing is seen as a gesture of respect.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To kowtow (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To kowtow is a sign of submission in some cultures.

  To kowtow is a sign of submission in some cultures.

  • "*To kowtow*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of submission in some cultures).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to kowtow to her demands.

  She wants me to kowtow to her demands.

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

  I need a reason to kowtow to their authority.

  I need a reason to kowtow to their authority.

  • "*To kowtow* to their authority" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reason *to kowtow* to their authority).

Kowtowing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Kowtowing can be a cultural tradition in some countries.

  Kowtowing can be a cultural tradition in some countries.

  • "*Kowtowing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (a cultural tradition in some countries).
• 2. Object

  I dislike kowtowing to authority figures.

  I dislike kowtowing to authority figures.

  • "*Kowtowing* to authority figures" is the object of the verb "dislike."
  • Noun (I) + verb (dislike) + gerund (*kowtowing* to authority figures).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a fear of kowtowing to their superiors.

  They have a fear of kowtowing to their superiors.

  • "Of *kowtowing* to their superiors" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a fear of *kowtowing* to their superiors).

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

• refuse
• demand
• pretend
• choose
• struggle

Example

They refuse to kowtow to unjust rules.

He demanded his subordinates to kowtow to him.

She pretended to kowtow to gain favor with the king.

We choose not to kowtow to oppressive regimes.

They struggle to kowtow to societal norms.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• delay
• deny

Example

He avoids kowtowing to people he doesn't respect.

They recommend kowtowing as a gesture of courtesy.

I am considering kowtowing to their demands.

She delayed kowtowing until she was ready.

They deny kowtowing to any authority.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to kowtow to show respect. She likes kowtowing to show respect.

We started to kowtow as part of our cultural practice. We started kowtowing as part of our cultural practice.

He began to kowtow after being taught the tradition. He began kowtowing after being taught the tradition.