To Reroll vs Rerolling 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 reroll (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to reroll my dice to get a better score.

Rerolling (Gerund)

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

Example

Rerolling can give you a second chance at success.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To reroll (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To reroll is a common strategy in board games.

  To reroll is a common strategy in board games.

  • "*To reroll*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common strategy in board games).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to reroll the dice for her.

  She wants me to reroll the dice for her.

  • "Me *to reroll* the dice for her" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to reroll* the dice for her).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a better chance to reroll my dice.

  I need a better chance to reroll my dice.

  • "*To reroll* my dice" modifies the noun "chance."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a better chance *to reroll* my dice).

Rerolling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Rerolling is a common practice in tabletop gaming.

  Rerolling is a common practice in tabletop gaming.

  • "*Rerolling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice in tabletop gaming).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy rerolling the dice to try different strategies.

  I enjoy rerolling the dice to try different strategies.

  • "*Rerolling* the dice to try different strategies" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*rerolling* the dice to try different strategies).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a knack for rerolling to improve his chances.

  He has a knack for rerolling to improve his chances.

  • "For *rerolling* to improve his chances" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *rerolling* to improve his chances).

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 reroll his dice in the next turn.

They hope to reroll for a higher number.

She wants to reroll the dice to change her luck.

We decided to reroll the dice to break the tie.

They agreed to reroll the dice if nobody wins.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys rerolling the dice for fun.

They recommend rerolling for a better outcome.

I dislike the idea of rerolling in competitive games.

He avoids rerolling to maintain the integrity of the game.

Can you imagine yourself rerolling until you get the desired result?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to reroll the dice for a chance at winning. They like rerolling the dice for a chance at winning.

We started to reroll our dice after a string of bad luck. We started rerolling our dice after a string of bad luck.

He began to reroll his dice more frequently. He began rerolling his dice more frequently.