When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To resentence (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to resentence" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
The judge decided to resentence the defendant to a shorter prison term.
Resentencing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "resentencing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Resentencing can lead to a fairer outcome for some cases.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To resentence (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To resentence is a complex legal process.
To resentence is a complex legal process.
- "*To resentence*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a complex legal process).
- 2Object
They want the court to resentence the convicted criminal.
They want the court to resentence the convicted criminal.
- "The court *to resentence* the convicted criminal" is the object of the verb "want."
- Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (the court *to resentence* the convicted criminal).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a valid reason to resentence the defendant.
He needs a valid reason to resentence the defendant.
- "*To resentence* the defendant" modifies the noun "reason."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a valid reason *to resentence* the defendant).
Resentencing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Resentencing requires careful consideration of various factors.
Resentencing requires careful consideration of various factors.
- "*Resentencing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful consideration of various factors).
- 2Object
She appreciates the importance of resentencing in criminal justice reform.
She appreciates the importance of resentencing in criminal justice reform.
- "The importance of *resentencing*" is the object of the verb "appreciates."
- Noun (She) + verb (appreciates) + gerund (the importance of *resentencing*).
- 3Object of Preposition
The lawyer is well-versed in the complexities of resentencing.
The lawyer is well-versed in the complexities of resentencing.
- "The complexities of *resentencing*" is the object of the preposition "in."
- Noun phrase (The lawyer) + verb (is) + preposition (in) + noun phrase (the complexities of *resentencing*).
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
The jury decided to resentence the defendant to life imprisonment.
They attempted to resentence the criminal for a more severe punishment.
The victim's family demanded the court to resentence the murderer.
I wish to resentence the offender to rehabilitation instead of jail time.
The judge refused to resentence the defendant despite the plea for leniency.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They try to avoid resentencing defendants with minor offenses.
The judge will consider resentencing the convict based on new evidence.
Experts recommend resentencing non-violent offenders to reduce prison overcrowding.
The defense attorney requested a delay in resentencing until further investigation.
The court denied resentencing the accused due to lack of substantial grounds.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I would like to resentence the defendant to community service. I would like resentencing to be considered as an alternative.
They started to resentence criminals involved in white-collar crimes. They started resentencing individuals convicted of drug-related offenses.
The government plans to resentence those convicted of hate crimes. The government plans resentencing for repeat offenders.
