To Revive vs Reviving 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 revive (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to revive the old traditions of our community.

Reviving (Gerund)

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

Example

Reviving old traditions can bring communities together.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To revive (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To revive the economy is crucial for the country's development.

  To revive the economy is crucial for the country's development.

  • "*To revive* the economy" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (crucial for the country's development).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to revive the ancient art form.

  She wants me to revive the ancient art form.

  • "Me *to revive* the ancient art form" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to revive* the ancient art form).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need new strategies to revive the declining industry.

  We need new strategies to revive the declining industry.

  • "*To revive* the declining industry" modifies the noun "strategies."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (new strategies *to revive* the declining industry).

Reviving (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Reviving the neighborhood has been a collective effort.

  Reviving the neighborhood has been a collective effort.

  • "*Reviving* the neighborhood" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (has been) + noun phrase (a collective effort).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy reviving forgotten recipes.

  I enjoy reviving forgotten recipes.

  • "*Reviving* forgotten recipes" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*reviving* forgotten recipes).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a passion for reviving historical landmarks.

  He has a passion for reviving historical landmarks.

  • "For *reviving* historical landmarks" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *reviving* historical landmarks).

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 revive the cultural festival next year.

He hopes to revive the abandoned building and turn it into a museum.

She wants to revive the traditional music in her community.

We decided to revive the old customs and practices.

They agreed to revive the ancient language and teach it in schools.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

She enjoys reviving old photographs and preserving memories.

They recommend reviving traditional crafts to promote cultural heritage.

I avoid reviving past conflicts and focus on reconciliation.

He is considering reviving the old theater and organizing performances.

Can you imagine reviving the ancient art form and showcasing it to the world?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to revive the old traditions of our ancestors. I would like reviving the old traditions of our ancestors.

We started to revive the local economy. We started reviving the local economy.

She began to revive the dying art form. She began reviving the dying art form.