To Dislodge vs Dislodging 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 dislodge (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to dislodge the stuck bolt with a wrench.

Dislodging (Gerund)

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

Example

Dislodging the snow from the roof is a challenging task.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To dislodge (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To dislodge the debris is necessary for proper maintenance.

  To dislodge the debris is necessary for proper maintenance.

  • "*To dislodge* the debris" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (necessary for proper maintenance).
• 2. Object

  He wants me to dislodge the book from the shelf.

  He wants me to dislodge the book from the shelf.

  • "Me *to dislodge* the book from the shelf" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (He) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to dislodge* the book from the shelf).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a tool to dislodge the jammed door.

  We need a tool to dislodge the jammed door.

  • "*To dislodge* the jammed door" modifies the noun "tool."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a tool *to dislodge* the jammed door).

Dislodging (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Dislodging the rock requires a lot of strength.

  Dislodging the rock requires a lot of strength.

  • "*Dislodging* the rock" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (a lot of strength).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys dislodging the dirt from the carpet.

  She enjoys dislodging the dirt from the carpet.

  • "*Dislodging* the dirt from the carpet" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*dislodging* the dirt from the carpet).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for dislodging stuck objects.

  He has a talent for dislodging stuck objects.

  • "For *dislodging* stuck objects" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *dislodging* stuck objects).

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 dislodge the stuck screw tomorrow.

They hope to dislodge the obstruction in the pipe during their renovation.

He wants to dislodge the stuck key from the lock.

We decided to dislodge the stuck zipper on our own.

They agreed to dislodge the stuck button together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• consider

Example

She enjoys dislodging the ice from the windshield every morning.

They recommend using a shovel for dislodging the snow from the driveway.

He avoids dislodging the wasp nest without protective gear.

Can you imagine yourself dislodging the stuck ring from your finger?

We are considering dislodging the old wallpaper and replacing it.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to dislodge the stuck bolt with a hammer. She likes dislodging the debris from the gutter.

We started to dislodge the stuck door hinge with oil. We started dislodging the fallen leaves from the garden.

He began to dislodge the stuck key with a lubricant spray. He began dislodging the pebbles from the shoe.