When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To recalculate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to recalculate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I need to recalculate the budget to account for the new expenses.
Recalculating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "recalculating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Recalculating can help identify errors in the calculations.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To recalculate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To recalculate is a necessary step in the data analysis process.
To recalculate is a necessary step in the data analysis process.
- "*To recalculate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a necessary step in the data analysis process).
- 2Object
She wants me to recalculate the figures before the meeting.
She wants me to recalculate the figures before the meeting.
- "Me *to recalculate* the figures before the meeting" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to recalculate* the figures before the meeting).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a calculator to recalculate the values.
I need a calculator to recalculate the values.
- "*To recalculate* the values" modifies the noun "calculator."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a calculator *to recalculate* the values).
Recalculating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Recalculating is a common practice in accounting.
Recalculating is a common practice in accounting.
- "*Recalculating*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice in accounting).
- 2Object
I enjoy recalculating the numbers to ensure accuracy.
I enjoy recalculating the numbers to ensure accuracy.
- "*Recalculating* the numbers to ensure accuracy" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*recalculating* the numbers to ensure accuracy).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for recalculating complex equations.
She has a talent for recalculating complex equations.
- "For *recalculating* complex equations" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *recalculating* complex equations).
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
She plans to recalculate the sales forecast tomorrow.
They hope to recalculate the measurements for accuracy.
He wants to recalculate the data before presenting it.
We decided to recalculate the project timeline.
They agreed to recalculate the budget together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys recalculating the financial statements every month.
They recommend regularly recalculating the inventory levels.
I dislike the task of recalculating the tax deductions.
He avoids recalculating the formulas manually.
Can you imagine yourself recalculating the entire dataset?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to recalculate the expenses. She likes recalculating the expenses.
We started to recalculate the project costs. We started recalculating the project costs.
He began to recalculate the sales figures. He began recalculating the sales figures.
