To Revert vs Reverting 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 revert (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to revert back to the original design.

Reverting (Gerund)

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

Example

Reverting to the old ways is not a solution.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To revert (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To revert back to the old system would be a mistake.

  To revert back to the old system would be a mistake.

  • "*To revert* back to the old system" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (would be) + noun phrase (a mistake).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to revert to the previous version.

  She wants me to revert to the previous version.

  • "Me *to revert* to the previous version" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to revert* to the previous version).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a backup plan to revert to in case of failure.

  We need a backup plan to revert to in case of failure.

  • "*To revert* to in case of failure" modifies the noun "backup plan."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a backup plan *to revert* to in case of failure).

Reverting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Reverting back to manual processes would be inefficient.

  Reverting back to manual processes would be inefficient.

  • "*Reverting* back to manual processes" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (would be) + noun phrase (inefficient).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy reverting to traditional methods of communication.

  I enjoy reverting to traditional methods of communication.

  • "*Reverting* to traditional methods of communication" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*reverting* to traditional methods of communication).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a fear of reverting to old habits.

  They have a fear of reverting to old habits.

  • "Of *reverting* to old habits" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a fear of *reverting* to old habits).

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 revert to the old system next week.

He hopes to revert back to the original design soon.

We want to revert to the previous version of the software.

She decided to revert to the original plan after the feedback.

They agreed to revert back to the initial settings.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys reverting to her childhood hobbies.

Experts recommend reverting to organic farming practices.

I dislike the idea of reverting to outdated technology.

He avoids reverting to unhealthy eating habits.

Can you imagine reverting to handwritten letters in this digital age?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to revert to simpler times. I like reverting to simpler times.

We started to revert back to the original plan. We started reverting back to the original plan.

He began to revert to his old habits. He began reverting to his old habits.