To Resterilize vs Resterilizing 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 resterilize (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to resterilize the equipment before using it again.

Resterilizing (Gerund)

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

Example

Resterilizing is a crucial step in maintaining sterility.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To resterilize (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To resterilize is necessary to maintain a sterile environment.

  To resterilize is necessary to maintain a sterile environment.

  • "*To resterilize*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (necessary to maintain a sterile environment).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to resterilize the surgical instruments.

  She wants me to resterilize the surgical instruments.

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

  We need a new machine to resterilize our medical supplies.

  We need a new machine to resterilize our medical supplies.

  • "*To resterilize* our medical supplies" modifies the noun "machine."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a new machine *to resterilize* our medical supplies).

Resterilizing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Resterilizing should be done after every use.

  Resterilizing should be done after every use.

  • "*Resterilizing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (should be done) + noun phrase (after every use).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy resterilizing the equipment.

  I enjoy resterilizing the equipment.

  • "*Resterilizing* the equipment" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*resterilizing* the equipment).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for resterilizing medical supplies.

  She has a talent for resterilizing medical supplies.

  • "For *resterilizing* medical supplies" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *resterilizing* medical supplies).

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 resterilize the lab equipment next week.

I hope to resterilize the tools before the surgery.

She wants to resterilize the operating room after each procedure.

He decided to resterilize the instruments himself.

We agreed to resterilize the supplies before use.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider
• practice

Example

Doctors recommend resterilizing surgical tools after each use.

We should avoid resterilizing with contaminated equipment.

Can you imagine yourself resterilizing the entire laboratory?

They are considering resterilizing the materials before storage.

He practices resterilizing the instruments according to the guidelines.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to resterilize the equipment before use. I would like resterilizing the equipment before use.

She started to resterilize the tools regularly. She started resterilizing the tools regularly.

We began to resterilize the supplies after each use. We began resterilizing the supplies after each use.