To Rescind vs Rescinding 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 rescind (Infinitive)

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

Example

The company decided to rescind the new policy.

Rescinding (Gerund)

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

Example

Rescinding the agreement would have serious consequences.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To rescind (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To rescind the decision would be a mistake.

  To rescind the decision would be a mistake.

  • "*To rescind* the decision" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (would be) + noun phrase (a mistake).
• 2. Object

  She wants the board to rescind the resolution.

  She wants the board to rescind the resolution.

  • "The board *to rescind* the resolution" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (the board *to rescind* the resolution).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a valid reason to rescind my contract.

  I need a valid reason to rescind my contract.

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

Rescinding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Rescinding the contract was necessary.

  Rescinding the contract was necessary.

  • "*Rescinding* the contract" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (was) + noun phrase (necessary).
• 2. Object

  I regret rescinding my membership in the club.

  I regret rescinding my membership in the club.

  • "*Rescinding* my membership in the club" is the object of the verb "regret."
  • Noun (I) + verb (regret) + gerund (*rescinding* my membership in the club).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She faced consequences for rescinding the agreement.

  She faced consequences for rescinding the agreement.

  • "For *rescinding* the agreement" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (faced) + noun phrase (consequences for *rescinding* 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

• plan
• demand
• refuse
• decide
• agree

Example

They plan to rescind the offer before the deadline.

He demanded to rescind the unfair decision.

She refused to rescind her previous statement.

We decided to rescind the invitation for personal reasons.

They agreed to rescind the controversial policy together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• postpone
• deny
• risk

Example

He avoids rescinding contracts without proper justification.

They are considering rescinding the offer due to budget constraints.

I suggest rescinding the decision until further evaluation.

She denied rescinding the contract despite evidence.

We risked rescinding the agreement by proposing changes.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• stop

Example

He would like to rescind the agreement. He would like rescinding the agreement.

They began to rescind the outdated policies. They began rescinding the outdated policies.

She stopped to rescind the order. She stopped rescinding the order.