To Relearn vs Relearning 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 relearn (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to relearn how to play the piano.

Relearning (Gerund)

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

Example

Relearning can be frustrating, but it is necessary for growth.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To relearn (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To relearn is a challenging but rewarding process.

  To relearn is a challenging but rewarding process.

  • "*To relearn*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (challenging but rewarding).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to relearn the dance routine.

  She wants me to relearn the dance routine.

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

  I have a strong desire to relearn French.

  I have a strong desire to relearn French.

  • "*To relearn* French" modifies the noun "desire."
  • Noun (I) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a strong desire *to relearn* French).

Relearning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Relearning is an important skill to develop.

  Relearning is an important skill to develop.

  • "*Relearning*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important skill to develop).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy relearning old songs on the guitar.

  I enjoy relearning old songs on the guitar.

  • "*Relearning* old songs on the guitar" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*relearning* old songs on the guitar).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for relearning history.

  She has a passion for relearning history.

  • "For *relearning* history" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *relearning* history).

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

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

He plans to relearn how to swim this summer.

They hope to relearn the guitar before their performance.

She wants to relearn how to cook a specific dish.

We decided to relearn how to ride a bike.

They agreed to relearn the software program together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys relearning new languages.

They recommend relearning basic math skills for success in higher-level courses.

I dislike the process of relearning how to drive.

She avoids relearning material right before exams.

Can you imagine yourself relearning how to walk after an injury?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to relearn how to dance. I would like relearning how to dance.

We started to relearn the piano. We started relearning the piano.

He began to relearn how to paint. He began relearning how to paint.