To Rehang vs Rehanging 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 rehang (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to rehang the painting on the wall.

Rehanging (Gerund)

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

Example

Rehanging the clothes in the closet is a tedious task.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To rehang (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To rehang the curtains is a time-consuming task.

  To rehang the curtains is a time-consuming task.

  • "*To rehang* the curtains" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a time-consuming task).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to rehang the pictures.

  She wants me to rehang the pictures.

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

  We need a ladder to rehang the chandelier.

  We need a ladder to rehang the chandelier.

  • "*To rehang* the chandelier" modifies the noun "ladder."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a ladder *to rehang* the chandelier).

Rehanging (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Rehanging the artwork requires precision and patience.

  Rehanging the artwork requires precision and patience.

  • "*Rehanging* the artwork" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (precision and patience).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy rehanging the curtains in different styles.

  I enjoy rehanging the curtains in different styles.

  • "*Rehanging* the curtains in different styles" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*rehanging* the curtains in different styles).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a knack for rehanging clothes efficiently.

  She has a knack for rehanging clothes efficiently.

  • "For *rehanging* clothes efficiently" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *rehanging* clothes efficiently).

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

They plan to rehang the artwork in the gallery next week.

I hope to rehang the shelves before the guests arrive.

He wants to rehang the mirror in the bathroom.

We decided to rehang the curtains for a fresh look.

They agreed to rehang the photos in a new arrangement.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys rehanging the paintings in the gallery.

They recommend rehanging the shelves for better organization.

I dislike the task of rehanging the curtains every season.

She avoids rehanging the clothes by using hangers.

Can you imagine yourself rehanging all the pictures in the house?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to rehang the decorations on the Christmas tree. She likes rehanging the decorations on the Christmas tree.

We started to rehang the frames on the wall. We started rehanging the frames on the wall.

He began to rehang the curtains in the living room. He began rehanging the curtains in the living room.