To Revoke vs Revoking 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 revoke (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to revoke my previous statement.

Revoking (Gerund)

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

Example

Revoking the license will have serious consequences.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To revoke (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To revoke is a serious decision.

  To revoke is a serious decision.

  • "*To revoke*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a serious decision).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to revoke my membership.

  She wants me to revoke my membership.

  • "Me *to revoke* my membership" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to revoke* my membership).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a valid reason to revoke the license.

  I need a valid reason to revoke the license.

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

Revoking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Revoking the permit was necessary.

  Revoking the permit was necessary.

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

  I enjoy revoking unnecessary regulations.

  I enjoy revoking unnecessary regulations.

  • "*Revoking* unnecessary regulations" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*revoking* unnecessary regulations).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for revoking unfair decisions.

  She has a talent for revoking unfair decisions.

  • "For *revoking* unfair decisions" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *revoking* unfair decisions).

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
• plan
• refuse
• attempt
• wish

Example

They decided to revoke his access to the system.

We are planning to revoke their privileges.

She refused to revoke the contract.

He attempted to revoke the decision but failed.

I wish to revoke the agreement.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• avoid
• recommend
• delay
• understand

Example

They are considering revoking the contract.

He avoids revoking important documents.

I recommend revoking outdated policies.

We decided to delay revoking the license.

Can you understand the implications of revoking the agreement?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to revoke unnecessary permissions. She likes revoking unnecessary permissions.

They started to revoke licenses for non-compliance. They started revoking licenses for non-compliance.

He began to revoke privileges for misconduct. He began revoking privileges for misconduct.