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To Repower vs Repowering 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 repower (Infinitive)

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

Example

They decided to repower their old car with an electric engine.

Repowering (Gerund)

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

Example

Repowering old wind turbines is a cost-effective way to generate renewable energy.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To repower (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To repower the house, they installed solar panels on the roof.

    To repower the house, they installed solar panels on the roof.

    • "*To repower* the house" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (installed) + noun phrase (solar panels on the roof).
  • 2Object

    We want him to repower our generator.

    We want him to repower our generator.

    • "Him *to repower* our generator" is the object of the verb "want."
    • Noun (We) + verb (want) + noun phrase (him *to repower* our generator).
  • 3Adjective Modifier

    He needs a new battery to repower his phone.

    He needs a new battery to repower his phone.

    • "*To repower* his phone" modifies the noun "battery."
    • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a new battery *to repower* his phone).

Repowering (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Repowering wind farms has become a common practice in the renewable energy industry.

    Repowering wind farms has become a common practice in the renewable energy industry.

    • "*Repowering* wind farms" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (has become) + noun phrase (a common practice in the renewable energy industry).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy repowering vintage cars and giving them a new life.

    I enjoy repowering vintage cars and giving them a new life.

    • "*Repowering* vintage cars and giving them a new life" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*repowering* vintage cars and giving them a new life).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a passion for repowering abandoned buildings.

    She has a passion for repowering abandoned buildings.

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

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

She plans to repower the entire building with sustainable energy sources.

They hope to repower their factory using renewable energy.

He wants to repower his boat with a more efficient engine.

We decided to repower our home with a solar power system.

They agreed to repower their office with energy-saving appliances.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

They recommend repowering old wind turbines to increase their efficiency.

We are considering repowering our neighborhood with solar energy.

He avoids repowering outdated machinery to save costs.

Can you imagine repowering an entire city with clean energy sources?

They discussed the benefits of repowering the local power plant.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to repower vintage motorcycles. She likes repowering vintage motorcycles.

We started to repower our home with solar panels. We started repowering our home with solar panels.

He began to repower old laptops for resale. He began repowering old laptops for resale.

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