To Recall vs Recalling 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 recall (Infinitive)

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

Example

I promise to recall the information for the meeting tomorrow.

Recalling (Gerund)

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

Example

Recalling past experiences can be therapeutic.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To recall (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To recall is essential for a good memory.

  To recall is essential for a good memory.

  • "*To recall*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (essential).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to recall the details of the event.

  She wants me to recall the details of the event.

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

  I need a strategy to recall important information.

  I need a strategy to recall important information.

  • "*To recall* important information" modifies the noun "strategy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to recall* important information).

Recalling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Recalling memories brings joy and nostalgia.

  Recalling memories brings joy and nostalgia.

  • "*Recalling* memories" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (brings) + noun phrase (joy and nostalgia).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy recalling my childhood memories.

  I enjoy recalling my childhood memories.

  • "*Recalling* my childhood memories" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*recalling* my childhood memories).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for recalling names and faces.

  She has a talent for recalling names and faces.

  • "For *recalling* names and faces" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *recalling* names and faces).

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

• agree
• attempt
• choose
• demand
• hope

Example

They agree to recall the facts accurately.

He attempted to recall the conversation from memory.

She chose to recall the events in chronological order.

The teacher demanded to recall the key points of the lesson.

We hope to recall the answers during the exam.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• discuss
• imagine
• mind

Example

He avoids recalling painful memories.

They consider recalling the details of the incident.

We discussed recalling the events of the trip.

I can't imagine recalling such a traumatic experience.

Do you mind recalling the steps of the process?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to recall her dreams every morning. She likes recalling her dreams every morning.

We started to recall the details of the story. We started recalling the details of the story.

He began to recall his childhood memories. He began recalling his childhood memories.