To Resist vs Resisting 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 resist (Infinitive)

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

Example

I resist the temptation to eat unhealthy food.

Resisting (Gerund)

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

Example

Resisting peer pressure can be challenging.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To resist (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To resist is important in maintaining self-control.

  To resist is important in maintaining self-control.

  • "*To resist*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important in maintaining self-control).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to resist peer pressure.

  She wants me to resist peer pressure.

  • "Me *to resist* peer pressure" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to resist* peer pressure).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a strong willpower to resist temptation.

  I need a strong willpower to resist temptation.

  • "*To resist* temptation" modifies the noun "willpower."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong willpower *to resist* temptation).

Resisting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Resisting temptation requires self-discipline.

  Resisting temptation requires self-discipline.

  • "*Resisting* temptation" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (self-discipline).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy resisting societal norms.

  I enjoy resisting societal norms.

  • "*Resisting* societal norms" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*resisting* societal norms).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for resisting peer pressure.

  She has a talent for resisting peer pressure.

  • "For *resisting* peer pressure" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *resisting* peer pressure).

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 resist the urge to procrastinate.

They hope to resist the temptation to overspend.

I want to resist the pressure to conform.

We decided to resist the temptation to cheat.

They agreed to resist the urge to give up.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys resisting the temptation to gossip.

They recommend resisting negative influences.

She dislikes resisting change.

I avoid resisting constructive criticism.

Can you imagine yourself resisting peer pressure?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to resist the temptation to procrastinate. I like resisting peer pressure.

They started to resist unhealthy habits. They started resisting negative influences.

He began to resist peer pressure. He began resisting temptation.