To Refute vs Refuting 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 refute (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to refute their claims with strong evidence.

Refuting (Gerund)

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

Example

Refuting their claims requires strong evidence.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To refute (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To refute is essential in a debate.

  To refute is essential in a debate.

  • "*To refute*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (essential).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to refute their arguments.

  She wants me to refute their arguments.

  • "Me *to refute* their arguments" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to refute* their arguments).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need solid evidence to refute their claims.

  We need solid evidence to refute their claims.

  • "*To refute* their claims" modifies the noun "evidence."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (solid evidence *to refute* their claims).

Refuting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Refuting their arguments is challenging.

  Refuting their arguments is challenging.

  • "*Refuting* their arguments" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (challenging).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy refuting their flawed logic.

  I enjoy refuting their flawed logic.

  • "*Refuting* their flawed logic" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*refuting* their flawed logic).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for refuting opposing viewpoints.

  She has a talent for refuting opposing viewpoints.

  • "For *refuting* opposing viewpoints" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *refuting* opposing viewpoints).

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

• attempt
• demand
• deserve
• pretend
• wish

Example

He attempted to refute the theory with counterarguments.

They demanded him to refute the accusations immediately.

You deserve to refute the false accusations against you.

She pretended to refute his statements, but secretly agreed with him.

I wish to refute their false claims once and for all.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• resist
• understand

Example

He avoids refuting their arguments in public.

They are considering refuting the allegations made against them.

I recommend refuting their claims with factual evidence.

She resisted the urge of refuting his baseless accusations.

Can you understand the importance of refuting false information?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I would like to refute their arguments. I would like refuting their arguments.

We began to refute their claims. We began refuting their claims.

He will continue to refute their allegations. He will continue refuting their allegations.