To Rehash vs Rehashing 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 rehash (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to rehash the same old arguments.

Rehashing (Gerund)

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

Example

Rehashing the same old arguments won't lead to a resolution.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To rehash (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To rehash is pointless and unproductive.

  To rehash is pointless and unproductive.

  • "*To rehash*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (pointless and unproductive).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to rehash the details of the meeting.

  She wants me to rehash the details of the meeting.

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

  We need a fresh perspective, not to rehash old ideas.

  We need a fresh perspective, not to rehash old ideas.

  • "*To rehash* old ideas" modifies the noun "a fresh perspective."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a fresh perspective, not *to rehash* old ideas).

Rehashing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Rehashing is counterproductive and tiring.

  Rehashing is counterproductive and tiring.

  • "*Rehashing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (counterproductive and tiring).
• 2. Object

  I can't stand rehashing the past over and over again.

  I can't stand rehashing the past over and over again.

  • "*Rehashing* the past over and over again" is the object of the verb "can't stand."
  • Noun (I) + verb (can't stand) + gerund (*rehashing* the past over and over again).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are tired of rehashing the same issues.

  They are tired of rehashing the same issues.

  • "*Rehashing* the same issues" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are tired of) + gerund (*rehashing* the same issues).

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

• decide
• attempt
• wish
• pretend
• manage

Example

They decided to rehash the issue once again.

He attempted to rehash the events of the past.

I wish not to rehash the past mistakes.

She pretends to rehash the conversation in her mind.

We managed to rehash the entire project in one meeting.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• understand

Example

He avoids rehashing old arguments to maintain peace.

We are considering rehashing the proposal at the next meeting.

Experts recommend avoiding rehashing past failures.

Do you mind rehashing the details of the incident?

I understand the need for rehashing certain topics.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She would like to rehash the entire conversation. She would like rehashing the entire conversation.

We started to rehash the events of that day. We started rehashing the events of that day.

He began to rehash the details of the report. He began rehashing the details of the report.