When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To redesign (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to redesign" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to redesign my website to improve user experience.
Redesigning (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "redesigning" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Redesigning can be a time-consuming process.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To redesign (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To redesign is a challenging task.
To redesign is a challenging task.
- "*To redesign*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a challenging task).
- 2Object
She wants me to redesign her logo.
She wants me to redesign her logo.
- "Me *to redesign* her logo" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to redesign* her logo).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a professional to redesign our website.
We need a professional to redesign our website.
- "*To redesign* our website" modifies the noun "professional."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a professional *to redesign* our website).
Redesigning (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Redesigning requires careful planning.
Redesigning requires careful planning.
- "*Redesigning*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful planning).
- 2Object
I enjoy redesigning my home.
I enjoy redesigning my home.
- "*Redesigning* my home" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*redesigning* my home).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for redesigning old furniture.
She has a passion for redesigning old furniture.
- "For *redesigning* old furniture" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *redesigning* old 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
Example
They plan to redesign their entire brand identity.
I hope to redesign the layout of my living room.
He wants to redesign the company's logo.
We decided to redesign the packaging for our product.
They agreed to redesign the website together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
He enjoys redesigning websites for clients.
They recommend hiring a professional for redesigning your space.
I dislike the idea of redesigning my wardrobe.
She avoids redesigning her website too frequently.
Can you imagine yourself redesigning your dream home?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to redesign her office space. She likes redesigning her office space.
We started to redesign our website from scratch. We started redesigning our website from scratch.
He began to redesign the company's logo. He began redesigning the company's logo.
