To Rinse vs Rinsing 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 rinse (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to rinse the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.

Rinsing (Gerund)

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

Example

Rinsing your mouth with mouthwash helps to freshen your breath.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To rinse (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To rinse is an important step in the cleaning process.

  To rinse is an important step in the cleaning process.

  • "*To rinse*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an important step in the cleaning process).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to rinse the vegetables.

  She wants me to rinse the vegetables.

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

  I need a sink to rinse the dirty dishes.

  I need a sink to rinse the dirty dishes.

  • "*To rinse* the dirty dishes" modifies the noun "sink."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a sink *to rinse* the dirty dishes).

Rinsing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Rinsing is an essential part of good oral hygiene.

  Rinsing is an essential part of good oral hygiene.

  • "*Rinsing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential part of good oral hygiene).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy rinsing my face with cold water in the morning.

  I enjoy rinsing my face with cold water in the morning.

  • "*Rinsing* my face with cold water in the morning" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*rinsing* my face with cold water in the morning).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of rinsing her hands before every meal.

  She has a habit of rinsing her hands before every meal.

  • "Of *rinsing* her hands before every meal" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *rinsing* her hands before every meal).

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

She plans to rinse her hair with cold water after shampooing.

They hope to rinse their clothes in the river to save water.

He wants to rinse his mouth after brushing his teeth.

We decided to rinse our faces with warm water before applying moisturizer.

They agreed to rinse the car with a hose instead of using a bucket.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys rinsing her hair with apple cider vinegar for extra shine.

They recommend rinsing fruits and vegetables before consuming them.

I dislike the feeling of wet hair after rinsing it.

He avoids rinsing his face with hot water as it can be harsh on the skin.

Can you imagine rinsing your clothes by hand every day?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to rinse her hands with warm water. She likes rinsing her hands with warm water.

We started to rinse our clothes separately. We started rinsing our clothes separately.

He began to rinse his mouth with saltwater. He began rinsing his mouth with saltwater.