To Discard vs Discarding 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 discard (Infinitive)

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

Example

I decided to discard the old clothes that I no longer wear.

Discarding (Gerund)

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

Example

Discarding old belongings can be a liberating experience.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To discard (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To discard is a responsible way to dispose of waste.

  To discard is a responsible way to dispose of waste.

  • "*To discard*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a responsible way to dispose of waste).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to discard the expired food.

  She wants me to discard the expired food.

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

  I need a trash bag to discard the garbage.

  I need a trash bag to discard the garbage.

  • "*To discard* the garbage" modifies the noun "trash bag."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a trash bag *to discard* the garbage).

Discarding (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Discarding unnecessary items creates more space.

  Discarding unnecessary items creates more space.

  • "*Discarding* unnecessary items" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (creates) + noun phrase (more space).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy discarding things that no longer serve a purpose.

  I enjoy discarding things that no longer serve a purpose.

  • "*Discarding* things that no longer serve a purpose" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*discarding* things that no longer serve a purpose).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of discarding items she no longer needs.

  She has a habit of discarding items she no longer needs.

  • "Of *discarding* items she no longer needs" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *discarding* items she no longer needs).

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 discard the old furniture next week.

They hope to discard unnecessary items during the spring cleaning.

He wants to discard the broken toys.

We decided to discard the old documents and organize the filing cabinet.

They agreed to discard the expired medications for safety reasons.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys discarding old magazines and newspapers.

They recommend regularly discarding expired products from the pantry.

I dislike the idea of discarding sentimental items.

He avoids discarding items that can be repurposed or recycled.

Can you imagine yourself discarding all unnecessary clutter?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to discard unused items from her closet. She likes discarding unnecessary clutter.

We started to discard old furniture from the basement. We started discarding old furniture from the basement.

He began to discard expired medications from the medicine cabinet. He began discarding expired medications from the medicine cabinet.