To Recoat vs Recoating 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 recoat (Infinitive)

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

Example

I plan to recoat the walls with a fresh layer of paint.

Recoating (Gerund)

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

Example

Recoating the walls will give them a fresh new look.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To recoat (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To recoat the furniture is necessary to restore its appearance.

  To recoat the furniture is necessary to restore its appearance.

  • "*To recoat* the furniture" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (necessary to restore its appearance).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to recoat the cabinets in the kitchen.

  He wants me to recoat the cabinets in the kitchen.

  • "Me *to recoat* the cabinets in the kitchen" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to recoat* the cabinets in the kitchen).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a paintbrush to recoat the walls.

  We need a paintbrush to recoat the walls.

  • "*To recoat* the walls" modifies the noun "paintbrush."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a paintbrush *to recoat* the walls).

Recoating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Recoating the furniture is a time-consuming process.

  Recoating the furniture is a time-consuming process.

  • "*Recoating* the furniture" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a time-consuming process).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy recoating the cabinets in my spare time.

  I enjoy recoating the cabinets in my spare time.

  • "*Recoating* the cabinets in my spare time" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*recoating* the cabinets in my spare time).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for recoating old wooden furniture.

  She has a passion for recoating old wooden furniture.

  • "For *recoating* old wooden furniture" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *recoating* old wooden 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

• decide
• attempt
• wish
• manage
• struggle

Example

They decided to recoat the deck with a waterproof sealant.

She attempted to recoat the car's surface with a protective coating.

He wishes to recoat the fence for a fresh look.

We managed to recoat the floors before the guests arrived.

They struggled to recoat the ceiling due to its height.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• delay
• imagine

Example

They recommend recoating the walls every few years to maintain their appearance.

He avoids recoating surfaces that are already in good condition.

I am considering recoating the floors with a glossy finish.

She decided to delay recoating the roof until the weather improves.

Can you imagine recoating your car with a metallic paint?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to recoat the furniture with a stain. She likes recoating the furniture with a stain.

We began to recoat the walls with a primer. We began recoating the walls with a primer.

He continues to recoat the floor with a protective varnish. He continues recoating the floor with a protective varnish.