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 be a time-consuming task.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To relabel (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To relabel is an important step in the packaging process.
To relabel is an important step in the packaging process.
- "*To relabel*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in the packaging process).
- 2Object
She wants me to relabel the products before they are shipped.
She wants me to relabel the products before they are shipped.
- "Me *to relabel* the products before they are shipped" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to relabel* the products before they are shipped).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We have a machine to relabel the bottles quickly.
We have a machine to relabel the bottles quickly.
- "*To relabel* the bottles quickly" modifies the noun "machine."
- Noun (We) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a machine *to relabel* the bottles quickly).
Relabeling (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Relabeling is necessary to comply with regulatory requirements.
Relabeling is necessary to comply with regulatory requirements.
- "*Relabeling*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (necessary to comply with regulatory requirements).
- 2Object
I enjoy relabeling the products to improve their presentation.
I enjoy relabeling the products to improve their presentation.
- "*Relabeling* the products to improve their presentation" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*relabeling* the products to improve their presentation).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for relabeling items accurately.
She has a talent for relabeling items accurately.
- "For *relabeling* items accurately" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *relabeling* items accurately).
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.
He hopes to relabel the entire collection before the exhibition.
We want to relabel the files for better organization.
She decided to relabel the products with new branding.
They agreed to relabel the packages with the correct labels.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They enjoy relabeling the packaging for a fresh look.
Experts recommend regular relabeling to ensure accurate information.
I dislike the tediousness of relabeling every item.
He avoids relabeling products with incorrect information.
Can you imagine yourself relabeling thousands of items?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to relabel the products for better clarity. She likes relabeling the products for better clarity.
We started to relabel the inventory after the audit. We started relabeling the inventory after the audit.
He began to relabel the packages with the new design. He began relabeling the packages with the new design.
