To Renege vs Reneging 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 renege (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to renege on my promise to help.

Reneging (Gerund)

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

Example

Reneging on your promise is dishonest.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To renege (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To renege would be unfair to everyone involved.

  To renege would be unfair to everyone involved.

  • "*To renege*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (would be) + adjective phrase (unfair to everyone involved).
• 2. Object

  She wants him to renege on the agreement.

  She wants him to renege on the agreement.

  • "Him *to renege* on the agreement" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (him *to renege* on the agreement).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a reliable person to renege on the deal.

  We need a reliable person to renege on the deal.

  • "*To renege* on the deal" modifies the noun "person."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reliable person *to renege* on the deal).

Reneging (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Reneging is considered unethical in business.

  Reneging is considered unethical in business.

  • "*Reneging*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is considered) + adjective phrase (unethical in business).
• 2. Object

  I regret reneging on my commitment.

  I regret reneging on my commitment.

  • "*Reneging* on my commitment" is the object of the verb "regret."
  • Noun (I) + verb (regret) + gerund (*reneging* on my commitment).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They were accused of reneging on the agreement.

  They were accused of reneging on the agreement.

  • "*Reneging* on the agreement" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (were accused of) + gerund (*reneging* on the agreement).

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
• plan
• refuse
• determine
• wish

Example

He promised not to renege on his commitment.

They plan to renege on their previous decision.

She refuses to renege on her agreement.

We determined not to renege on our promise.

I wish not to renege on my offer.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• deny
• imagine
• recommend

Example

He avoids reneging on his promises at all costs.

We are considering reneging on the deal due to unforeseen circumstances.

She denies reneging on her previous statements.

Can you imagine reneging on your obligations?

They recommend against reneging on your commitments.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I don't like to renege on my promises. I don't like reneging on my promises.

He started to renege on his responsibilities. He started reneging on his responsibilities.

We began to renege on our agreements. We began reneging on our agreements.