To Rekey vs Rekeying 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 rekey (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to rekey my house after losing my keys.

Rekeying (Gerund)

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

Example

Rekeying is necessary when changing the locks.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To rekey (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To rekey is a common practice when moving into a new home.

  To rekey is a common practice when moving into a new home.

  • "*To rekey*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice when moving into a new home).
• 2. Object

  She asked him to rekey the office doors.

  She asked him to rekey the office doors.

  • "Him *to rekey* the office doors" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to rekey* the office doors).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a locksmith to rekey the locks.

  We need a locksmith to rekey the locks.

  • "*To rekey* the locks" modifies the noun "locksmith."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a locksmith *to rekey* the locks).

Rekeying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Rekeying requires professional skills and tools.

  Rekeying requires professional skills and tools.

  • "*Rekeying*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (professional skills and tools).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy rekeying locks as a hobby.

  I enjoy rekeying locks as a hobby.

  • "*Rekeying* locks" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*rekeying* locks).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has experience in rekeying various types of locks.

  He has experience in rekeying various types of locks.

  • "In *rekeying* various types of locks" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (experience in *rekeying* various types of locks).

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
• want
• refuse
• attempt
• manage

Example

They decided to rekey all the locks in the building.

He wants to rekey his car after it was stolen.

She refused to rekey the house for security reasons.

We attempted to rekey the safe, but failed.

They managed to rekey the entire office complex in just one day.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• mind
• resist

Example

They recommend hiring a professional for rekeying your locks.

I avoid rekeying locks myself to prevent damage.

She is considering rekeying the entire house for better security.

Do you mind me rekeying the front door?

He couldn't resist rekeying the locks after the break-in.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to rekey their office every year. They like rekeying their office every year.

We started to rekey our house after the burglary. We started rekeying our house after the burglary.

He began to rekey the locks on his own. He began rekeying the locks on his own.