To Reupholster vs Reupholstering 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 reupholster (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to reupholster my old sofa to give it a fresh look.

Reupholstering (Gerund)

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

Example

Reupholstering furniture can be a rewarding DIY project.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To reupholster (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To reupholster furniture requires skill and patience.

  To reupholster furniture requires skill and patience.

  • "*To reupholster* furniture" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (skill and patience).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to reupholster her dining chairs.

  She wants me to reupholster her dining chairs.

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

  I need fabric to reupholster my couch.

  I need fabric to reupholster my couch.

  • "*To reupholster* my couch" modifies the noun "fabric."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (fabric *to reupholster* my couch).

Reupholstering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Reupholstering old chairs can bring new life to your dining room.

  Reupholstering old chairs can bring new life to your dining room.

  • "*Reupholstering* old chairs" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can bring) + noun phrase (new life to your dining room).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy reupholstering antique sofas.

  I enjoy reupholstering antique sofas.

  • "*Reupholstering* antique sofas" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*reupholstering* antique sofas).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for reupholstering furniture.

  She has a talent for reupholstering furniture.

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

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 reupholster his armchair next week.

They hope to reupholster their sofa before the guests arrive.

She wants to reupholster her ottoman in a vibrant color.

We decided to reupholster our dining room chairs ourselves.

They agreed to reupholster their car seats together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys reupholstering vintage chairs as a hobby.

They recommend professional help for complex reupholstering projects.

I dislike the process of reupholstering large sofas.

She avoids reupholstering delicate fabrics.

Can you imagine yourself reupholstering your own furniture?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to reupholster old chairs. She likes reupholstering old chairs.

We started to reupholster our couch. We started reupholstering our couch.

He began to reupholster his armchair. He began reupholstering his armchair.