To Surrender vs Surrendering 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 surrender (Infinitive)

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

Example

He refused to surrender and fought until the end.

Surrendering (Gerund)

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

Example

Surrendering is not always a sign of weakness.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To surrender (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To surrender is seen as a sign of weakness.

  To surrender is seen as a sign of weakness.

  • "*To surrender*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + seen as + noun phrase (a sign of weakness).
• 2. Object

  She wants him to surrender his weapon.

  She wants him to surrender his weapon.

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

  We need a peaceful solution to surrender our differences.

  We need a peaceful solution to surrender our differences.

  • "*To surrender* our differences" modifies the noun "solution."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a peaceful solution *to surrender* our differences).

Surrendering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Surrendering can be a difficult decision to make.

  Surrendering can be a difficult decision to make.

  • "*Surrendering*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (a difficult decision to make).
• 2. Object

  I regret surrendering so easily.

  I regret surrendering so easily.

  • "*Surrendering* so easily" is the object of the verb "regret."
  • Noun (I) + verb (regret) + gerund (*surrendering* so easily).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a fear of surrendering control.

  He has a fear of surrendering control.

  • "Of *surrendering* control" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *surrendering* control).

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

• refuse
• attempt
• pretend
• choose
• determine

Example

They refused to surrender and fought bravely.

He attempted to surrender but was captured instead.

She pretended to surrender in order to gain an advantage.

We chose to surrender rather than risk further casualties.

He determined to surrender and seek peace negotiations.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• avoid
• resist
• anticipate
• understand

Example

They are considering surrendering to the enemy forces.

She avoids surrendering her principles under any circumstances.

He resisted surrendering to the temptation of giving up.

We anticipate surrendering our rights in the negotiation process.

They understand the consequences of surrendering their power.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I would like to surrender peacefully. I would like surrendering to be a last resort.

They began to surrender their weapons. They began surrendering their weapons.

She continues to surrender to her fears. She continues surrendering to her fears.