To Refuse vs Refusing Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To refuse (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to swim in the race because I'm not confident in my abilities.

Refusing (Gerund)

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

Example

Refusing to swim in the race was a tough choice for me.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To refuse (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To refuse is a difficult decision to make.

    To refuse is a difficult decision to make.

    • "*To refuse*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a difficult decision to make).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to refuse to swim in the race.

    She wants me to refuse to swim in the race.

    • "Me *to refuse* to swim in the race" is the object of the verb "wants."
    • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to refuse* to swim in the race).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    I need a valid reason to refuse to swim in the race.

    I need a valid reason to refuse to swim in the race.

    • "*To refuse* to swim in the race" modifies the noun "reason."
    • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a valid reason *to refuse* to swim in the race).

Refusing (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Refusing to swim in the race disappointed my teammates.

    Refusing to swim in the race disappointed my teammates.

    • "*Refusing* to swim in the race" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (disappointed) + noun phrase (my teammates).
  • 2Object

    I regret refusing to swim in the lake.

    I regret refusing to swim in the lake.

    • "*Refusing* to swim in the lake" is the object of the verb "regret."
    • Noun (I) + verb (regret) + gerund (*refusing* to swim in the lake).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has no interest in refusing to swim.

    She has no interest in refusing to swim.

    • "No interest in *refusing* to swim" is the object of the preposition "in."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (no interest in *refusing* to swim).

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

Example

She plans to refuse to swim in the lake tomorrow.

They hope to refuse to swim with sharks during their vacation.

He wants to refuse to swim in cold water.

We decided to refuse to swim in the pool this weekend.

They agreed to refuse to swim in the race together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys refusing to swim in the pool every evening.

They recommend refusing to swim in polluted water for health reasons.

I dislike the idea of refusing to swim in natural bodies of water.

He avoids refusing to swim in public pools.

Can you imagine yourself refusing to swim with dolphins?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to refuse to swim in competitive races. She likes refusing to swim in competitive races.

We started to refuse to swim in cold water. We started refusing to swim in cold water.

He began to refuse to swim in crowded pools. He began refusing to swim in crowded pools.

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