To Reaffirm vs Reaffirming 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 reaffirm (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to reaffirm my commitment to the project.

Reaffirming (Gerund)

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

Example

Reaffirming our beliefs can help us stay focused.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To reaffirm (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To reaffirm is essential for maintaining trust in a relationship.

  To reaffirm is essential for maintaining trust in a relationship.

  • "*To reaffirm*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for maintaining trust in a relationship).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to reaffirm my loyalty to the team.

  She wants me to reaffirm my loyalty to the team.

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

  We need a meeting to reaffirm our goals.

  We need a meeting to reaffirm our goals.

  • "*To reaffirm* our goals" modifies the noun "meeting."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a meeting *to reaffirm* our goals).

Reaffirming (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Reaffirming our commitment is crucial for success.

  Reaffirming our commitment is crucial for success.

  • "*Reaffirming* our commitment" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (crucial for success).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy reaffirming my values through actions.

  I enjoy reaffirming my values through actions.

  • "*Reaffirming* my values through actions" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*reaffirming* my values through actions).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of reaffirming her beliefs.

  She has a habit of reaffirming her beliefs.

  • "Of *reaffirming* her beliefs" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *reaffirming* her beliefs).

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
• promise
• attempt
• struggle
• agree

Example

They decided to reaffirm their commitment to the cause.

He promised to reaffirm his love for her every day.

She attempted to reaffirm her position on the matter.

We struggled to reaffirm our values in the face of adversity.

They agreed to reaffirm their support for the proposal.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• delay
• imagine

Example

They recommend reaffirming your goals regularly.

I am considering reaffirming my commitment to the organization.

He avoids reaffirming his mistakes in public.

She delayed reaffirming her decision until the next meeting.

Can you imagine yourself reaffirming your values in challenging situations?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to reaffirm her position in the company. She likes reaffirming her position in the company.

We started to reaffirm our commitment to the project. We started reaffirming our commitment to the project.

He began to reaffirm his beliefs. He began reaffirming his beliefs.