To Disembark vs Disembarking 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 disembark (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to disembark from the ship and explore the island.

Disembarking (Gerund)

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

Example

Disembarking can be chaotic if not done in an organized manner.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To disembark (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To disembark is necessary before exploring the island.

  To disembark is necessary before exploring the island.

  • "*To disembark*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (necessary).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to disembark with her.

  She wants me to disembark with her.

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

  I need a ladder to disembark safely.

  I need a ladder to disembark safely.

  • "*To disembark* safely" modifies the noun "ladder."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a ladder *to disembark* safely).

Disembarking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Disembarking is the first step after reaching the destination.

  Disembarking is the first step after reaching the destination.

  • "*Disembarking*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the first step after reaching the destination).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy disembarking from the train and exploring new cities.

  I enjoy disembarking from the train and exploring new cities.

  • "*Disembarking* from the train and exploring new cities" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*disembarking* from the train and exploring new cities).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of disembarking in unfamiliar places.

  She has a fear of disembarking in unfamiliar places.

  • "Of *disembarking* in unfamiliar places" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *disembarking* in unfamiliar places).

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 disembark at the next port.

They hope to disembark early to explore the city.

He wants to disembark on the remote island.

We decided to disembark and visit the local market.

They agreed to disembark together and go sightseeing.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

She enjoys disembarking at different ports during her cruise.

They recommend disembarking early to avoid crowds.

I avoid disembarking during peak hours.

Can you imagine disembarking in a foreign country without knowing the language?

We are considering disembarking at the next available stop.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to disembark first and explore later. She likes disembarking first and exploring later.

We started to disembark immediately upon arrival. We started disembarking immediately upon arrival.

He began to disembark cautiously from the helicopter. He began disembarking cautiously from the helicopter.