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To Revise vs Revising Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To revise (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to revise my notes before the exam.

Revising (Gerund)

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

Example

Revising helps improve the quality of writing.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To revise (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To revise is essential for academic success.

    To revise is essential for academic success.

    • "*To revise*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for academic success).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to revise her essay.

    She wants me to revise her essay.

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

    I have a lot of material to revise for the test.

    I have a lot of material to revise for the test.

    • "*To revise* for the test" modifies the noun "material."
    • Noun (I) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a lot of material *to revise* for the test).

Revising (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Revising is an important step in the writing process.

    Revising is an important step in the writing process.

    • "*Revising*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in the writing process).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy revising my essays for clarity and coherence.

    I enjoy revising my essays for clarity and coherence.

    • "*Revising* my essays for clarity and coherence" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*revising* my essays for clarity and coherence).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a talent for revising other people's work.

    She has a talent for revising other people's work.

    • "For *revising* other people's work" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *revising* other people's work).

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

Example

She plans to revise her presentation tonight.

They hope to revise their work before the deadline.

He wants to revise his manuscript for publication.

We decided to revise our strategy for the project.

They agreed to revise their agreement based on new information.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

She enjoys revising novels in her spare time.

They recommend regular revising for better writing skills.

I dislike the process of revising my own work.

He avoids revising his assignments until the last minute.

Can you imagine yourself revising your work multiple times?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to revise her essays for grammatical errors. She likes revising her essays for grammatical errors.

We started to revise our study notes. We started revising our study notes.

He began to revise his research paper. He began revising his research paper.

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