To Violate vs Violating 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 violate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to violate the rules and regulations of this organization.

Violating (Gerund)

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

Example

Violating the terms and conditions may result in legal consequences.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To violate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To violate the law is a serious offense.

  To violate the law is a serious offense.

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

  She wants me to violate the agreement.

  She wants me to violate the agreement.

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

  I need a reason to violate the rules.

  I need a reason to violate the rules.

  • "*To violate* the rules" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reason *to violate* the rules).

Violating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Violating the rules is not acceptable.

  Violating the rules is not acceptable.

  • "*Violating* the rules" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not acceptable).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy violating the speed limit.

  I enjoy violating the speed limit.

  • "*Violating* the speed limit" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*violating* the speed limit).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He received a fine for violating the regulations.

  He received a fine for violating the regulations.

  • "For *violating* the regulations" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (received) + noun phrase (a fine for *violating* the regulations).

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
• demand
• refuse
• attempt
• pretend

Example

He plans to violate the curfew tonight.

The protesters demand to violate their rights.

They refused to violate their principles.

She attempted to violate the confidentiality agreement.

He pretended to violate the security protocol.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• deny
• resist

Example

She avoids violating the company's policies.

They are considering violating the curfew for a valid reason.

Experts recommend not violating the ethical guidelines.

He denies violating any laws or regulations.

I can't resist violating the rules when nobody is watching.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I like to violate the norms of society. I like violating the norms of society.

We began to violate the terms of the contract. We began violating the terms of the contract.

They continue to violate the privacy of individuals. They continue violating the privacy of individuals.