To Reject vs Rejecting 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 reject (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to reject their offer because it's a great opportunity.

Rejecting (Gerund)

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

Example

Rejecting their offer was a difficult decision for me.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To reject (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To reject is not always easy.

  To reject is not always easy.

  • "*To reject*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adverb (not) + adjective (always easy).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to reject their proposal.

  She wants me to reject their proposal.

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

  They need a valid reason to reject the application.

  They need a valid reason to reject the application.

  • "A valid reason *to reject* the application" modifies the noun "need."
  • Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a valid reason *to reject* the application).

Rejecting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Rejecting their request was the right thing to do.

  Rejecting their request was the right thing to do.

  • "*Rejecting* their request" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (the right thing to do).
• 2. Object

  I regret rejecting their offer.

  I regret rejecting their offer.

  • "*Rejecting* their offer" is the object of the verb "regret."
  • Noun (I) + verb (regret) + gerund (*rejecting* their offer).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He apologized for rejecting their proposal.

  He apologized for rejecting their proposal.

  • "For *rejecting* their proposal" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun (He) + verb (apologized) + preposition (for) + gerund (*rejecting* their proposal).

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

• plan
• decide
• hope
• want
• attempt

Example

He plans to reject their offer and pursue other opportunities.

We decided to reject their proposal and go with a different option.

She hopes to reject their request without causing any offense.

They want us to reject their offer and find a better deal.

I attempted to reject the invitation, but they insisted I attend.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• imagine

Example

She avoids rejecting their suggestions in order to maintain a good relationship.

They are considering rejecting the offer due to unfavorable terms.

Experts recommend carefully rejecting job offers based on long-term career goals.

I don't mind rejecting their invitation if it conflicts with my schedule.

Can you imagine rejecting such a generous offer?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He doesn't like to reject people's ideas. He doesn't like rejecting people's ideas.

She started to reject any offers that didn't meet her criteria. She started rejecting any offers that didn't meet her criteria.

They began to reject applications that lacked the necessary qualifications. They began rejecting applications that lacked the necessary qualifications.