To Reuse vs Reusing 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 reuse (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to reuse this plastic bottle instead of throwing it away.

Reusing (Gerund)

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

Example

Reusing items helps reduce waste and conserve resources.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To reuse (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To reuse is an environmentally friendly practice.

  To reuse is an environmentally friendly practice.

  • "*To reuse*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (an environmentally friendly practice).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to reuse these materials for the project.

  She wants me to reuse these materials for the project.

  • "Me *to reuse* these materials for the project" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to reuse* these materials for the project).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a container to reuse for storing leftovers.

  We need a container to reuse for storing leftovers.

  • "*To reuse* for storing leftovers" modifies the noun "container."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a container *to reuse* for storing leftovers).

Reusing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Reusing is a sustainable practice that benefits the environment.

  Reusing is a sustainable practice that benefits the environment.

  • "*Reusing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sustainable practice that benefits the environment).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy reusing old clothes to create new fashion pieces.

  I enjoy reusing old clothes to create new fashion pieces.

  • "*Reusing* old clothes to create new fashion pieces" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*reusing* old clothes to create new fashion pieces).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for reusing household items.

  She has a passion for reusing household items.

  • "For *reusing* household items" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *reusing* household items).

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 reuse old furniture for their new house.

He hopes to reuse the empty jars for organizing his workspace.

She wants to reuse the paper bags instead of buying new ones.

We decided to reuse the glass bottles for DIY projects.

They agreed to reuse the plastic containers for food storage.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys reusing glass jars for storing homemade preserves.

Experts recommend reusing shopping bags to reduce plastic waste.

I dislike the idea of reusing old batteries.

They avoid reusing single-use plastics.

Can you imagine yourself reusing old newspapers for crafts?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to reuse plastic containers for organizing. She likes reusing plastic containers for organizing.

They started to reuse glass bottles as decorative vases. They started reusing glass bottles as decorative vases.

He began to reuse old magazines for collage art. He began reusing old magazines for collage art.