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 contract was a difficult decision.

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 them to rescind the contract.

  She wants them to rescind the contract.

  • "Them *to rescind* the contract" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (them *to rescind* the contract).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a valid reason to rescind the agreement.

  We need a valid reason to rescind the agreement.

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

Rescinding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Rescinding the agreement was necessary.

  Rescinding the agreement was necessary.

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

  I appreciate rescinding the invitation.

  I appreciate rescinding the invitation.

  • "*Rescinding* the invitation" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
  • Noun (I) + verb (appreciate) + gerund (*rescinding* the invitation).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They were unaware of the consequences of rescinding the deal.

  They were unaware of the consequences of rescinding the deal.

  • "Of *rescinding* the deal" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (were) + preposition (of) + noun phrase (the consequences of *rescinding* the deal).

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
• demand
• attempt
• refuse
• plan

Example

They decided to rescind the job offer.

He demanded to rescind the unfair rule.

She attempted to rescind the controversial decision.

We refused to rescind our demand for justice.

They are planning to rescind the new regulations.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• recommend
• avoid
• postpone
• deny

Example

He is considering rescinding the contract.

They recommend rescinding the policy immediately.

She avoids rescinding any agreements without proper consultation.

We have decided to postpone rescinding the decision until further notice.

They denied rescinding their previous statement.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They would like to rescind the contract. They would like rescinding the contract.

He started to rescind the policies one by one. He started rescinding the policies one by one.

We began to rescind the outdated regulations. We began rescinding the outdated regulations.