To Restore vs Restoring 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 restore (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to restore this old painting to its original beauty.

Restoring (Gerund)

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

Example

Restoring old photographs can bring cherished memories back to life.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To restore (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To restore a historic building requires careful planning and expertise.

  To restore a historic building requires careful planning and expertise.

  • "*To restore* a historic building" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful planning and expertise).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to restore her antique furniture.

  She wants me to restore her antique furniture.

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

  We need a skilled craftsman to restore the damaged artifacts.

  We need a skilled craftsman to restore the damaged artifacts.

  • "*To restore* the damaged artifacts" modifies the noun "craftsman."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a skilled craftsman *to restore* the damaged artifacts).

Restoring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Restoring vintage cars is his passion.

  Restoring vintage cars is his passion.

  • "*Restoring* vintage cars" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (his passion).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy restoring antique furniture as a hobby.

  I enjoy restoring antique furniture as a hobby.

  • "*Restoring* antique furniture" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*restoring* antique furniture).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for restoring damaged artwork.

  She has a talent for restoring damaged artwork.

  • "For *restoring* damaged artwork" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *restoring* damaged artwork).

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
• decide
• hope
• attempt
• choose

Example

They plan to restore the old house to its former glory.

He decided to restore the vintage car himself.

She hopes to restore the broken vase with glue.

We attempted to restore the ancient manuscript.

They chose to restore the worn-out furniture.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

He enjoys restoring old houses in his free time.

Experts recommend restoring historical documents for preservation.

They avoid restoring delicate items without proper training.

Can you imagine yourself restoring ancient artifacts?

She is considering restoring the vintage piano.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to restore this antique clock. I would like restoring this antique clock.

They started to restore the old house. They started restoring the old house.

He began to restore the damaged painting. He began restoring the damaged painting.