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 any opportunities that come my way.

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 offers without careful consideration can lead to missed opportunities.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To reject (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To reject is not always an easy decision to make.

  To reject is not always an easy decision to make.

  • "*To reject*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not always an easy decision to make).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to reject the job offer.

  She wants me to reject the job offer.

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

  We need a valid reason to reject their proposal.

  We need a valid reason to reject their proposal.

  • "*To reject* their proposal" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a valid reason *to reject* their proposal).

Rejecting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Rejecting is not always the best option.

  Rejecting is not always the best option.

  • "*Rejecting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not always the best option).
• 2. Object

  She regrets rejecting his apology.

  She regrets rejecting his apology.

  • "*Rejecting* his apology" is the object of the verb "regrets."
  • Noun (She) + verb (regrets) + gerund (*rejecting* his apology).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a habit of rejecting new ideas.

  He has a habit of rejecting new ideas.

  • "Of *rejecting* new ideas" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *rejecting* new ideas).

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
• attempt
• determine
• demand
• wish

Example

They decided to reject the offer and pursue other opportunities.

He attempted to reject the idea, but it was met with resistance.

We determined to reject the proposal due to its lack of feasibility.

The protesters demand to reject the proposed legislation.

I wish to reject the notion that success equals wealth.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• avoid
• mind
• postpone
• imagine

Example

They consider rejecting the offer before making a decision.

I avoid rejecting suggestions without proper evaluation.

Do you mind rejecting the invitation on my behalf?

We decided to postpone rejecting the proposal until further discussion.

Can you imagine rejecting such a generous offer?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She would like to reject any compromises. She doesn't like rejecting other people's opinions.

They started to reject outdated practices. They started rejecting traditional norms.

He began to reject societal expectations. He began rejecting societal norms.