To Resign vs Resigning 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 resign (Infinitive)

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

Example

I decided to resign from my job and pursue my passion.

Resigning (Gerund)

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

Example

Resigning was a difficult choice, but it was necessary for my well-being.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To resign (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To resign is a personal decision.

  To resign is a personal decision.

  • "*To resign*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (a personal decision).
• 2. Object

  She wants him to resign immediately.

  She wants him to resign immediately.

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

  I have no choice but to resign.

  I have no choice but to resign.

  • "No choice but *to resign*" modifies the noun "choice."
  • Noun (I) + verb (have) + noun phrase (no choice but *to resign*).

Resigning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Resigning requires careful consideration.

  Resigning requires careful consideration.

  • "*Resigning*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful consideration).
• 2. Object

  I regret resigning from my previous job.

  I regret resigning from my previous job.

  • "*Resigning* from my previous job" is the object of the verb "regret."
  • Noun (I) + verb (regret) + gerund (*resigning* from my previous job).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are tired of the stress caused by resigning.

  They are tired of the stress caused by resigning.

  • "Of the stress caused by *resigning*" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are) + noun phrase (tired of the stress caused by *resigning*).

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
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

He plans to resign from his position next month.

They hope to resign on good terms with their employer.

She wants to resign and start her own business.

We decided to resign due to the toxic work environment.

They agreed to resign together and find new opportunities.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

He enjoys resigning from challenging projects.

I recommend resigning if you are unhappy in your current job.

She avoids resigning without having another job lined up.

Can you imagine resigning and traveling the world?

They are considering resigning to pursue further education.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to resign gracefully. I would like resigning to be a smooth process.

He started to resign after being mistreated by his boss. He started resigning once he realized the toxic work environment.

We began to resign when we found better job opportunities. We began resigning as soon as we secured new positions.