To Recable vs Recabling 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 recable (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to recable the entire network to improve connectivity.

Recabling (Gerund)

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

Example

Recabling the network is necessary to fix the connectivity issues.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To recable (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To recable is a complex task that requires expertise.

  To recable is a complex task that requires expertise.

  • "*To recable*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a complex task that requires expertise).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to recable the conference room.

  She wants me to recable the conference room.

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

  We need new cables to recable the office.

  We need new cables to recable the office.

  • "*To recable* the office" modifies the noun "cables."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (new cables *to recable* the office).

Recabling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Recabling requires careful planning and execution.

  Recabling requires careful planning and execution.

  • "*Recabling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful planning and execution).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy recabling the office to optimize the network.

  I enjoy recabling the office to optimize the network.

  • "*Recabling* the office to optimize the network" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*recabling* the office to optimize the network).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has experience in recabling large-scale networks.

  She has experience in recabling large-scale networks.

  • "In *recabling* large-scale networks" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience in *recabling* large-scale networks).

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
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

They plan to recable the server room next week.

I hope to recable the entire building by the end of the month.

He wants to recable the network for faster internet speed.

We decided to recable the office during the renovation.

They agreed to recable the conference room together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider
• mind

Example

Experts recommend regular recabling to maintain network performance.

It is important to avoid unnecessary recabling to minimize disruptions.

Can you imagine the time and effort required for recabling the entire building?

We are considering recabling the office for better connectivity.

Do you mind recabling the conference room before the meeting?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She would like to recable the network for improved speed. She would like recabling the network for improved speed.

We started to recable the office last week. We started recabling the office last week.

He began to recable the server room yesterday. He began recabling the server room yesterday.