To Recharge vs Recharging 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 recharge (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to recharge my phone before going on a trip.

Recharging (Gerund)

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

Example

Recharging your devices regularly can prolong their battery life.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To recharge (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To recharge is necessary for the battery to function properly.

  To recharge is necessary for the battery to function properly.

  • "*To recharge*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (necessary) + prepositional phrase (for the battery to function properly).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to recharge her laptop.

  She wants me to recharge her laptop.

  • "Me *to recharge* her laptop" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to recharge* her laptop).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need an outlet to recharge my phone.

  I need an outlet to recharge my phone.

  • "*To recharge* my phone" modifies the noun "outlet."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (an outlet *to recharge* my phone).

Recharging (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Recharging is essential for keeping your devices powered.

  Recharging is essential for keeping your devices powered.

  • "*Recharging*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (essential) + prepositional phrase (for keeping your devices powered).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy recharging my energy by spending time in nature.

  I enjoy recharging my energy by spending time in nature.

  • "*Recharging* my energy by spending time in nature" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*recharging* my energy by spending time in nature).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a habit of recharging his creativity through art.

  He has a habit of recharging his creativity through art.

  • "Of *recharging* his creativity through art" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *recharging* his creativity through art).

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

He plans to recharge his energy by taking a vacation.

They hope to recharge their creativity during the retreat.

She wants to recharge her mind with meditation.

We decided to recharge our relationship by going on a date night.

They agreed to recharge their batteries with a weekend getaway.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys recharging her mind by reading books.

They recommend regular recharging of electronic devices for optimal performance.

I dislike the idea of recharging my phone multiple times a day.

He avoids recharging his laptop in public places.

Can you imagine yourself recharging your energy at a peaceful retreat?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to recharge her phone overnight. She likes recharging her phone overnight.

We started to recharge our devices before bedtime. We started recharging our devices before bedtime.

He began to recharge his laptop battery. He began recharging his laptop battery.