To Relinquish vs Relinquishing 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 relinquish (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to relinquish my rights.

Relinquishing (Gerund)

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

Example

Relinquishing control can be difficult.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To relinquish (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To relinquish control is not easy for him.

  To relinquish control is not easy for him.

  • "*To relinquish* control" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not easy for him).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to relinquish my position.

  She wants me to relinquish my position.

  • "Me *to relinquish* my position" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to relinquish* my position).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  They need a leader to relinquish power.

  They need a leader to relinquish power.

  • "*To relinquish* power" modifies the noun "leader."
  • Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a leader *to relinquish* power).

Relinquishing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Relinquishing power is a courageous decision.

  Relinquishing power is a courageous decision.

  • "*Relinquishing* power" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a courageous decision).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy relinquishing control to others.

  I enjoy relinquishing control to others.

  • "*Relinquishing* control to others" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*relinquishing* control to others).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of relinquishing her independence.

  She has a fear of relinquishing her independence.

  • "Of *relinquishing* her independence" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *relinquishing* her independence).

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

• agree
• hope
• plan
• demand
• wish

Example

They agreed to relinquish their claims on the property.

He hopes to relinquish his responsibilities soon.

She plans to relinquish her control over the project.

The protesters demand to relinquish their rights.

I wish to relinquish my fears and live freely.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• postpone
• understand

Example

He avoids relinquishing his authority in the company.

They are considering relinquishing their ownership of the business.

Experts recommend relinquishing control in certain situations.

We decided to postpone relinquishing our rights until further notice.

I understand the importance of relinquishing control for the team's success.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to relinquish control to others. She likes relinquishing control to others.

We started to relinquish our old habits. We started relinquishing our old habits.

He began to relinquish his control over the project. He began relinquishing his control over the project.