To Reevaluate vs Reevaluating 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 reevaluate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to reevaluate my goals for the upcoming year.

Reevaluating (Gerund)

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

Example

Reevaluating can lead to positive changes in one's life.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To reevaluate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To reevaluate is an important step in personal growth.

  To reevaluate is an important step in personal growth.

  • "*To reevaluate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in personal growth).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to reevaluate my priorities.

  She wants me to reevaluate my priorities.

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

  I have a list to reevaluate.

  I have a list to reevaluate.

  • "*To reevaluate*" modifies the noun "list."
  • Noun (I) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a list *to reevaluate*).

Reevaluating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Reevaluating is necessary for personal growth.

  Reevaluating is necessary for personal growth.

  • "*Reevaluating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (necessary for personal growth).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy reevaluating my goals regularly.

  I enjoy reevaluating my goals regularly.

  • "*Reevaluating* my goals regularly" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*reevaluating* my goals regularly).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of reevaluating her decisions.

  She has a habit of reevaluating her decisions.

  • "Of *reevaluating* her decisions" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *reevaluating* her decisions).

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

She plans to reevaluate her career path next month.

They hope to reevaluate their financial situation before making any major decisions.

He wants to reevaluate his relationship with his partner.

We decided to reevaluate our company's marketing strategy.

They agreed to reevaluate their approach to team management.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys reevaluating her progress in her fitness journey.

They recommend reevaluating your goals periodically for better success.

I dislike the process of reevaluating my mistakes.

He avoids reevaluating his financial situation out of fear.

Can you imagine yourself reevaluating your life choices?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to reevaluate her daily routines. She likes reevaluating her daily routines.

We started to reevaluate our business strategies. We started reevaluating our business strategies.

He began to reevaluate his priorities. He began reevaluating his priorities.