To Rebuke vs Rebuking 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 rebuke (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to rebuke him for his disrespectful behavior.

Rebuking (Gerund)

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

Example

Rebuking someone in public can be embarrassing for both parties involved.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To rebuke (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To rebuke is a common response to inappropriate actions.

  To rebuke is a common response to inappropriate actions.

  • "*To rebuke*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common response to inappropriate actions).
• 2. Object

  She expects me to rebuke him for his mistake.

  She expects me to rebuke him for his mistake.

  • "Me *to rebuke* him for his mistake" is the object of the verb "expects."
  • Noun (She) + verb (expects) + noun phrase (me *to rebuke* him for his mistake).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a valid reason to rebuke him.

  I need a valid reason to rebuke him.

  • "*To rebuke* him" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a valid reason *to rebuke* him).

Rebuking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Rebuking others is not always the best approach to resolve conflicts.

  Rebuking others is not always the best approach to resolve conflicts.

  • "*Rebuking* others" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not always the best approach to resolve conflicts).
• 2. Object

  I dislike rebuking my children for their mistakes.

  I dislike rebuking my children for their mistakes.

  • "*Rebuking* my children for their mistakes" is the object of the verb "dislike."
  • Noun (I) + verb (dislike) + gerund (*rebuking* my children for their mistakes).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He apologized for rebuking his colleague in front of everyone.

  He apologized for rebuking his colleague in front of everyone.

  • "For *rebuking* his colleague in front of everyone" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (apologized) + noun phrase (for *rebuking* his colleague in front of everyone).

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
• refuse
• attempt
• demand
• deserve

Example

We decided to rebuke him for his dishonesty.

He refused to rebuke his subordinates for their mistakes.

They attempted to rebuke him, but he ignored their criticism.

The boss demanded to rebuke the employee publicly.

She deserves to rebuke him for his rude comments.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• resist
• understand

Example

They avoid rebuking their employees in public.

We are considering rebuking him for his constant tardiness.

Experts recommend rebuking bad behavior immediately.

She resisted rebuking her friend despite her disappointment.

I understand the need for rebuking unacceptable behavior.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• try

Example

I don't like to rebuke others in public. I don't like rebuking others in public.

They began to rebuke him for his mistakes. They began rebuking him for his mistakes.

She will try to rebuke him privately. She will try rebuking him privately.