To Reconfirm vs Reconfirming 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 reconfirm (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to reconfirm my appointment with the doctor.

Reconfirming (Gerund)

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

Example

Reconfirming is an important step in the process.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To reconfirm (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To reconfirm is essential for the success of the project.

  To reconfirm is essential for the success of the project.

  • "*To reconfirm*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (essential) + prepositional phrase (for the success of the project).
• 2. Object

  She asked me to reconfirm the details.

  She asked me to reconfirm the details.

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

  We need a written document to reconfirm the agreement.

  We need a written document to reconfirm the agreement.

  • "*To reconfirm* the agreement" modifies the noun "document."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a written document *to reconfirm* the agreement).

Reconfirming (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Reconfirming shows attention to detail.

  Reconfirming shows attention to detail.

  • "*Reconfirming*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (shows) + noun phrase (attention to detail).
• 2. Object

  I appreciate reconfirming the information.

  I appreciate reconfirming the information.

  • "*Reconfirming* the information" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
  • Noun (I) + verb (appreciate) + gerund (*reconfirming* the information).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She is responsible for reconfirming the reservations.

  She is responsible for reconfirming the reservations.

  • "For *reconfirming* the reservations" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (is) + prepositional phrase (responsible for *reconfirming* the reservations).

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
• plan
• hope
• want
• agree

Example

They decided to reconfirm their travel plans before booking the tickets.

She plans to reconfirm the meeting time tomorrow.

He hopes to reconfirm his flight reservation soon.

We want to reconfirm the delivery date for the package.

They agreed to reconfirm the details before finalizing the contract.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• consider
• avoid
• delay
• imagine

Example

They recommend reconfirming the details before the event.

I am considering reconfirming my decision before finalizing it.

He avoids reconfirming the same information multiple times.

They delayed reconfirming the meeting until next week.

Can you imagine reconfirming the instructions every time?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to reconfirm the reservation. I would like reconfirming the reservation.

They started to reconfirm their findings. They started reconfirming their findings.

She began to reconfirm the details before proceeding. She began reconfirming the details before proceeding.