When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To rebuild (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to rebuild" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
We plan to rebuild the old house.
Rebuilding (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "rebuilding" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Rebuilding after a disaster is a challenging process.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To rebuild (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To rebuild requires a lot of time and effort.
To rebuild requires a lot of time and effort.
- "*To rebuild*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (a lot of time and effort).
- 2Object
She wants us to rebuild her website.
She wants us to rebuild her website.
- "Us *to rebuild* her website" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (us *to rebuild* her website).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a contractor to rebuild the damaged roof.
I need a contractor to rebuild the damaged roof.
- "*To rebuild* the damaged roof" modifies the noun "contractor."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a contractor *to rebuild* the damaged roof).
Rebuilding (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Rebuilding takes a lot of resources and manpower.
Rebuilding takes a lot of resources and manpower.
- "*Rebuilding*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (takes) + noun phrase (a lot of resources and manpower).
- 2Object
They enjoy rebuilding old cars.
They enjoy rebuilding old cars.
- "*Rebuilding* old cars" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (They) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*rebuilding* old cars).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for rebuilding antique furniture.
She has a talent for rebuilding antique furniture.
- "For *rebuilding* antique furniture" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *rebuilding* antique furniture).
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
Example
They decided to rebuild their business from scratch.
I hope to rebuild my relationship with her.
He wants to rebuild his reputation in the industry.
We attempted to rebuild the broken bridge.
They refused to rebuild the old structure.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
Experts recommend professional help when rebuilding a house.
He avoids rebuilding relationships that are toxic.
We are considering rebuilding the entire infrastructure.
They decided to postpone rebuilding until the weather improves.
Do you mind rebuilding the presentation for me?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to rebuild old furniture. She likes rebuilding old furniture.
We started to rebuild our lives after the accident. We started rebuilding our lives after the accident.
He began to rebuild his career from scratch. He began rebuilding his career from scratch.
