To Be Reimbursed vs Being reimbursed 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 be reimbursed (Infinitive)

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

Example

I hope to be reimbursed for my travel expenses.

Being reimbursed (Gerund)

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

Example

Being reimbursed is a relief after a financial setback.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To be reimbursed (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To be reimbursed is the employee's right.

  To be reimbursed is the employee's right.

  • "*To be reimbursed*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the employee's right).
• 2. Object

  They want us to be reimbursed for the extra costs.

  They want us to be reimbursed for the extra costs.

  • "Us *to be reimbursed* for the extra costs" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to be reimbursed* for the extra costs).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  She needs a receipt to be reimbursed for the purchase.

  She needs a receipt to be reimbursed for the purchase.

  • "*To be reimbursed* for the purchase" modifies the noun "receipt."
  • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a receipt *to be reimbursed* for the purchase).

Being reimbursed (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Being reimbursed feels like a victory.

  Being reimbursed feels like a victory.

  • "*Being reimbursed*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (feels) + noun phrase (like a victory).
• 2. Object

  I appreciate being reimbursed for my efforts.

  I appreciate being reimbursed for my efforts.

  • "*Being reimbursed* for my efforts" is the object of the verb "appreciate."
  • Noun (I) + verb (appreciate) + gerund (*being reimbursed* for my efforts).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He had no choice but to accept the terms of being reimbursed.

  He had no choice but to accept the terms of being reimbursed.

  • "Of *being reimbursed*" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (had) + noun phrase (no choice but to accept the terms of *being reimbursed*).

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

• promise
• demand
• refuse
• choose
• attempt

Example

He promised to be reimbursed for the damaged item.

We demand to be reimbursed for the faulty product.

They refused to be reimbursed for the canceled flight.

She chose to be reimbursed in store credit.

He attempted to be reimbursed for the lost package.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• avoid
• consider
• delay
• imagine

Example

She enjoys being reimbursed for her hard work.

He avoids being reimbursed with gift cards.

We are considering being reimbursed through direct deposit.

They delayed being reimbursed due to administrative issues.

Can you imagine being reimbursed for all your expenses?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They would like to be reimbursed for their travel costs. They would like being reimbursed for their travel costs.

He started to be reimbursed for his medical bills. He started being reimbursed for his medical bills.

We began to be reimbursed for our project expenses. We began being reimbursed for our project expenses.