To Repeat vs Repeating 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 repeat (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to repeat the instructions to make sure I understand.

Repeating (Gerund)

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

Example

Repeating the information helps with retention.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To repeat (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To repeat is important for memorization.

  To repeat is important for memorization.

  • "*To repeat*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (important).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to repeat the question.

  She wants me to repeat the question.

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

  He needs a second chance to repeat the experiment.

  He needs a second chance to repeat the experiment.

  • "*To repeat* the experiment" modifies the noun "chance."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a second chance *to repeat* the experiment).

Repeating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Repeating is a common study technique.

  Repeating is a common study technique.

  • "*Repeating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common study technique).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy repeating the song lyrics.

  I enjoy repeating the song lyrics.

  • "*Repeating* the song lyrics" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*repeating* the song lyrics).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a habit of repeating himself.

  He has a habit of repeating himself.

  • "Of *repeating* himself" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *repeating* himself).

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

They plan to repeat the performance next week.

I hope to repeat my success in the competition.

We want to repeat the same experience again.

She decided to repeat the process for accuracy.

He agreed to repeat the experiment with different variables.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin
• continue
• try

Example

She likes repeating the mantra during meditation.

He started repeating the dance routine for practice.

We began repeating the lines for the play.

They continue repeating the same mistake.

I will try repeating the exercise for better results.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• remember
• help
• regret

Example

Please remember to repeat the information. Please remember repeating the information.

Can you help me to repeat the steps? Can you help me with repeating the steps?

He regrets to repeat the same mistake. He regrets repeating the same mistake.