To Renegate vs Renegating 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 renegate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to renegate on my promise.

Renegating (Gerund)

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

Example

Renegating on your promises will damage your reputation.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To renegate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To renegate is considered unethical.

  To renegate is considered unethical.

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

  She wants me to renegate on the deal.

  She wants me to renegate on the deal.

  • "Me *to renegate* on the deal" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to renegate* on the deal).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a valid reason to renegate on my commitment.

  I need a valid reason to renegate on my commitment.

  • "*To renegate* on my commitment" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a valid reason *to renegate* on my commitment).

Renegating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Renegating on your commitments is unacceptable.

  Renegating on your commitments is unacceptable.

  • "*Renegating* on your commitments" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (unacceptable).
• 2. Object

  I regret renegating on my agreement.

  I regret renegating on my agreement.

  • "*Renegating* on my agreement" is the object of the verb "regret."
  • Noun (I) + verb (regret) + gerund (*renegating* on my agreement).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of renegating on her responsibilities.

  She has a fear of renegating on her responsibilities.

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

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

• promise
• decide
• refuse
• attempt
• demand

Example

He promised not to renegate on his word.

They decided to renegate on their previous agreement.

We refuse to renegate on our principles.

She attempted not to renegate on her responsibilities.

He demands that they not to renegate on their obligations.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• deny
• postpone
• resist

Example

He avoids renegating on his commitments at all costs.

They consider renegating on the agreement as a breach of trust.

I deny renegating on my promises to you.

She postponed renegating on her decision until next week.

He resisted renegating on his responsibilities despite the difficulties.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to renegate on her commitments. She likes renegating on her commitments.

We started to renegate on our promises. We started renegating on our promises.

He began to renegate on his obligations. He began renegating on his obligations.