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To Relabel vs Relabeling Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To relabel (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to relabel the boxes with the correct information.

Relabeling (Gerund)

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

Example

Relabeling can help you identify and locate items easily.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To relabel (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To relabel is an important step in organizing your belongings.

    To relabel is an important step in organizing your belongings.

    • "*To relabel*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in organizing your belongings).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to relabel the files.

    She wants me to relabel the files.

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

    He needs a new label printer to relabel the products.

    He needs a new label printer to relabel the products.

    • "*To relabel* the products" modifies the noun "label printer."
    • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a new label printer *to relabel* the products).

Relabeling (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Relabeling is a time-consuming task but worth the effort.

    Relabeling is a time-consuming task but worth the effort.

    • "*Relabeling*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a time-consuming task but worth the effort).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy relabeling my collection of books.

    I enjoy relabeling my collection of books.

    • "*Relabeling* my collection of books" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*relabeling* my collection of books).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    They have a knack for relabeling old items.

    They have a knack for relabeling old items.

    • "For *relabeling* old items" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a knack for *relabeling* old items).

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

Example

They plan to relabel all the inventory next week.

We hope to relabel the packages before they are shipped.

She wants to relabel the bottles with accurate information.

He decided to relabel the folders for better organization.

We agreed to relabel the boxes together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

He enjoys relabeling his vintage record collection.

Experts recommend regular relabeling of perishable goods.

I dislike the tedious process of relabeling documents.

She avoids relabeling items that are already properly labeled.

Can you imagine spending hours relabeling all the boxes?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

They would like to relabel the products with barcodes. They would like relabeling the products with barcodes.

He started to relabel the packages for shipment. He started relabeling the packages for shipment.

We began to relabel the files in alphabetical order. We began relabeling the files in alphabetical order.

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