To Reform vs Reforming 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 reform (Infinitive)

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

Example

The government needs to reform the education system.

Reforming (Gerund)

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

Example

Reforming the criminal justice system is a top priority.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To reform (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To reform is a challenging task.

  To reform is a challenging task.

  • "*To reform*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a challenging task).
• 2. Object

  We want the government to reform the healthcare system.

  We want the government to reform the healthcare system.

  • "The government *to reform* the healthcare system" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (We) + verb (want) + noun phrase (the government *to reform* the healthcare system).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  She needs a leader to reform the company.

  She needs a leader to reform the company.

  • "*To reform* the company" modifies the noun "leader."
  • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a leader *to reform* the company).

Reforming (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Reforming the education system requires collective effort.

  Reforming the education system requires collective effort.

  • "*Reforming* the education system" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (collective effort).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys reforming old houses and giving them new life.

  She enjoys reforming old houses and giving them new life.

  • "*Reforming* old houses and giving them new life" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*reforming* old houses and giving them new life).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are dedicated to the cause of reforming the healthcare system.

  They are dedicated to the cause of reforming the healthcare system.

  • "The cause of *reforming* the healthcare system" is the object of the preposition "to."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are) + preposition (to) + noun phrase (the cause of *reforming* the healthcare system).

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
• decide
• attempt
• demand

Example

They plan to reform the tax system next year.

I hope to reform the criminal justice system for a fairer society.

He decided to reform his eating habits for better health.

We attempted to reform the immigration policy but faced opposition.

The protesters demand the government to reform the police force.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• consider
• recommend
• avoid
• delay
• understand

Example

We are considering reforming the tax laws to promote fairness.

Experts recommend reforming the immigration system for economic growth.

He avoids reforming the company's policies due to resistance.

The committee decided to delay reforming the pension system.

I understand the importance of reforming the electoral process.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She would like to reform the criminal justice system. She would like reforming the criminal justice system.

They started to reform the education system. They started reforming the education system.

He began to reform the healthcare system. He began reforming the healthcare system.