To Regret vs Regretting 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 regret (Infinitive)

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

Example

I regret to regret not studying harder for the exam.

Regretting (Gerund)

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

Example

Regretting is a natural response to making mistakes.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To regret (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To regret is a common feeling after making a mistake.

  To regret is a common feeling after making a mistake.

  • "*To regret*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common feeling after making a mistake).
• 2. Object

  She doesn't want me to regret my decision.

  She doesn't want me to regret my decision.

  • "Me *to regret* my decision" is the object of the verb "doesn't want."
  • Noun (She) + verb (doesn't want) + noun phrase (me *to regret* my decision).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a second chance to regret his actions.

  He needs a second chance to regret his actions.

  • "*To regret* his actions" modifies the noun "second chance."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a second chance *to regret* his actions).

Regretting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Regretting your past decisions won't change anything.

  Regretting your past decisions won't change anything.

  • "*Regretting* your past decisions" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (won't change) + noun phrase (your past decisions).
• 2. Object

  He enjoys regretting his impulsive purchases.

  He enjoys regretting his impulsive purchases.

  • "*Regretting* his impulsive purchases" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*regretting* his impulsive purchases).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are tired of regretting their mistakes.

  They are tired of regretting their mistakes.

  • "*Regretting* their mistakes" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are tired of) + noun phrase (*regretting* their mistakes).

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

• avoid
• consider
• mind
• postpone
• deny

Example

They avoid to regret any missed opportunities.

I consider to regret a valuable life lesson.

Do you mind to regret your choices later on?

We postponed to regret our decision until tomorrow.

She denies to regret her actions.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• like
• continue
• recommend
• practice
• understand

Example

She likes regretting her choices in life.

They continue regretting their past actions.

I recommend regretting any missed opportunities.

He practices regretting his mistakes to avoid repeating them.

We understand the importance of regretting our wrongdoings.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• try
• stop
• forget

Example

I try to regret my decisions. I try regretting my decisions.

She stopped to regret her mistakes. She stopped regretting her mistakes.

He will never forget to regret his actions. He will never forget regretting his actions.