To Reimage vs Reimaging 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 reimage (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to reimage my computer to fix the software issues.

Reimaging (Gerund)

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

Example

Reimaging can help improve the performance of your computer.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To reimage (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To reimage is a complex process that requires technical expertise.

  To reimage is a complex process that requires technical expertise.

  • "*To reimage*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a complex process that requires technical expertise).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to reimage her laptop.

  She wants me to reimage her laptop.

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

  We need a specialized tool to reimage the hard drive.

  We need a specialized tool to reimage the hard drive.

  • "*To reimage* the hard drive" modifies the noun "tool."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a specialized tool *to reimage* the hard drive).

Reimaging (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Reimaging is a common practice in IT industry.

  Reimaging is a common practice in IT industry.

  • "*Reimaging*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice in IT industry).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy reimaging old computers and making them run like new.

  I enjoy reimaging old computers and making them run like new.

  • "*Reimaging* old computers and making them run like new" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*reimaging* old computers and making them run like new).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for reimaging outdated software.

  He has a talent for reimaging outdated software.

  • "For *reimaging* outdated software" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *reimaging* outdated software).

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
• choose
• refuse
• wish

Example

They decided to reimage their computer instead of repairing it.

He attempted to reimage the device on his own but failed.

She chose to reimage her phone to solve the performance issues.

The technician refused to reimage the system without proper backup.

I wish to reimage my laptop to remove viruses and malware.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• mind
• consider
• understand

Example

Experts recommend regularly reimaging your computer for optimal performance.

To prevent data loss, it is advisable to avoid reimaging without backup.

Do you mind me reimaging the operating system?

They are considering reimaging the network infrastructure for better security.

I understand the importance of reimaging to maintain system integrity.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She would like to reimage her computer to fix the issues. She would like reimaging her computer to fix the issues.

We started to reimage our servers to improve performance. We started reimaging our servers to improve performance.

He began to reimage the company's laptops for security reasons. He began reimaging the company's laptops for security reasons.