To Unrack vs Unracking 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 unrack (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to unrack the weights before starting my workout.

Unracking (Gerund)

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

Example

Unracking the weights can be challenging if you're not careful.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To unrack (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To unrack the weights requires strength and balance.

  To unrack the weights requires strength and balance.

  • "*To unrack* the weights" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (strength and balance).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to unrack the barbell for her.

  She wants me to unrack the barbell for her.

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

  I need a spotter to unrack heavy weights.

  I need a spotter to unrack heavy weights.

  • "*To unrack* heavy weights" modifies the noun "spotter."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a spotter *to unrack* heavy weights).

Unracking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Unracking the weights requires focus and proper technique.

  Unracking the weights requires focus and proper technique.

  • "*Unracking* the weights" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (focus and proper technique).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy unracking the barbell at the beginning of my workout.

  I enjoy unracking the barbell at the beginning of my workout.

  • "*Unracking* the barbell" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*unracking* the barbell).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a knack for unracking the weights quickly.

  He has a knack for unracking the weights quickly.

  • "For *unracking* the weights quickly" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *unracking* the weights quickly).

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
• want
• hope
• decide
• refuse

Example

He plans to unrack the dumbbells for his workout tomorrow.

They want to unrack the weights together at the gym.

She hopes to unrack the barbell without assistance.

We decided to unrack the plates before starting our workout.

He refuses to unrack the heavy weights for safety reasons.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider
• mind

Example

They recommend practicing unracking weights with proper form.

She avoids unracking heavy weights without a spotter.

Can you imagine yourself unracking the barbell with ease?

He considers unracking the plates as part of his warm-up routine.

Do you mind unracking the dumbbells for me?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to unrack the weights before my workout. I like unracking the weights before my workout.

We started to unrack the barbells for our training session. We started unracking the barbells for our training session.

He began to unrack the plates one by one. He began unracking the plates one by one.