To Remove vs Removing 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 remove (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to remove the stain from my shirt.

Removing (Gerund)

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

Example

Removing the stain requires patience and the right cleaning products.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To remove (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To remove is a difficult task.

  To remove is a difficult task.

  • "*To remove*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a difficult task).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to remove the old wallpaper.

  She wants me to remove the old wallpaper.

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

  I need a tool to remove the screws.

  I need a tool to remove the screws.

  • "*To remove* the screws" modifies the noun "tool."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a tool *to remove* the screws).

Removing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Removing the stain is essential for restoring the fabric.

  Removing the stain is essential for restoring the fabric.

  • "*Removing* the stain" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (essential for restoring the fabric).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy removing the weeds from my garden.

  I enjoy removing the weeds from my garden.

  • "*Removing* the weeds from my garden" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*removing* the weeds from my garden).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for removing tough stains.

  She has a talent for removing tough stains.

  • "For *removing* tough stains" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *removing* tough stains).

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 remove the old carpet this weekend.

They hope to remove the stain completely.

I want to remove all the clutter from my house.

We decided to remove the tree from our backyard.

They agreed to remove the graffiti from the wall.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys removing the dust from antique furniture.

Experts recommend removing all makeup before bed.

I dislike the process of removing wallpaper.

She avoids removing the paint by using tape.

Can you imagine yourself removing a splinter without pain?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to remove stains immediately. I like removing stains immediately.

They started to remove the old tiles. They started removing the old tiles.

He began to remove the old wallpaper. He began removing the old wallpaper.