To Redate vs Redating 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 redate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to redate the document to reflect the correct date.

Redating (Gerund)

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

Example

Redating the document will require additional time and effort.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To redate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To redate is a common practice in the business world.

  To redate is a common practice in the business world.

  • "*To redate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice in the business world).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to redate the contract.

  She wants me to redate the contract.

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

  He needs a new stamp to redate the letters.

  He needs a new stamp to redate the letters.

  • "*To redate* the letters" modifies the noun "stamp."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a new stamp *to redate* the letters).

Redating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Redating is a necessary step in the process.

  Redating is a necessary step in the process.

  • "*Redating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a necessary step in the process).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy redating old photographs.

  I enjoy redating old photographs.

  • "*Redating* old photographs" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*redating* old photographs).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for redating historical documents.

  She has a talent for redating historical documents.

  • "For *redating* historical documents" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *redating* historical documents).

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

They plan to redate the invoices for accuracy.

I hope to redate the report before the deadline.

We want to redate the files to organize them properly.

He decided to redate the photographs for archival purposes.

They agreed to redate the contracts to avoid any confusion.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

They enjoy redating antique furniture.

I recommend redating the entries for accuracy.

He avoids redating old records unless necessary.

Can you imagine yourself redating ancient manuscripts?

She is considering redating the timeline of events.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

We like to redate important documents. We like redating important documents.

He started to redate the files for organization. He started redating the files for organization.

She began to redate the contracts for accuracy. She began redating the contracts for accuracy.