To Refresh vs Refreshing 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 refresh (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to refresh my knowledge on the subject before the exam.

Refreshing (Gerund)

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

Example

Refreshing your mind can help increase productivity.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To refresh (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To refresh is important for maintaining productivity.

  To refresh is important for maintaining productivity.

  • "*To refresh*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (important for maintaining productivity).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to refresh her memory about the meeting details.

  She wants me to refresh her memory about the meeting details.

  • "Me *to refresh* her memory about the meeting details" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to refresh* her memory about the meeting details).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a break to refresh my mind.

  I need a break to refresh my mind.

  • "*To refresh* my mind" modifies the noun "break."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a break *to refresh* my mind).

Refreshing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Refreshing is a great way to rejuvenate yourself.

  Refreshing is a great way to rejuvenate yourself.

  • "*Refreshing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to rejuvenate yourself).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy refreshing my senses with a walk in nature.

  I enjoy refreshing my senses with a walk in nature.

  • "*Refreshing* my senses with a walk in nature" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*refreshing* my senses with a walk in nature).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a preference for refreshing beverages.

  She has a preference for refreshing beverages.

  • "For *refreshing* beverages" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a preference for *refreshing* beverages).

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

He plans to refresh his skills through online courses.

They hope to refresh their memory with a quick review.

She wants to refresh her wardrobe for the new season.

We decided to refresh the design of our website.

They agreed to refresh the company's branding.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys refreshing himself with a cold shower after exercise.

They recommend taking short breaks for refreshing your mind during work.

I dislike the feeling of refreshing cold water on my skin.

She avoids consuming refreshing drinks with high sugar content.

Can you imagine the feeling of refreshing ocean breeze on your face?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to refresh her knowledge through reading books. She likes refreshing her knowledge through reading books.

They started to refresh their skills with online tutorials. They started refreshing their skills with online tutorials.

He began to refresh his memory by taking notes. He began refreshing his memory by taking notes.