To Disperse vs Dispersing 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 disperse (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to disperse the crowd for safety reasons.

Dispersing (Gerund)

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

Example

Dispensing pamphlets is a common method of dispersing information.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To disperse (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To disperse the protesters is the police's main objective.

  To disperse the protesters is the police's main objective.

  • "*To disperse* the protesters" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the protesters).
• 2. Object

  They asked him to disperse the information to the team.

  They asked him to disperse the information to the team.

  • "Him *to disperse* the information to the team" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (They) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to disperse* the information to the team).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a strategy to disperse the crowd effectively.

  We need a strategy to disperse the crowd effectively.

  • "*To disperse* the crowd effectively" modifies the noun "strategy."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strategy *to disperse* the crowd effectively).

Dispersing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Dispensing pamphlets can be an effective way to reach a large audience.

  Dispensing pamphlets can be an effective way to reach a large audience.

  • "*Dispensing* pamphlets" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (an effective way to reach a large audience).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy dispersing flyers in the neighborhood.

  I enjoy dispersing flyers in the neighborhood.

  • "*Dispersing* flyers in the neighborhood" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*dispersing* flyers in the neighborhood).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She received a warning for dispersing false information.

  She received a warning for dispersing false information.

  • "For *dispersing* false information" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (received) + noun phrase (a warning for *dispersing* false information).

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
• refuse
• attempt
• demand
• determine

Example

They plan to disperse the funds evenly among the members.

He refused to disperse the confidential documents.

She attempted to disperse the group peacefully.

The protestors demanded the police to disperse immediately.

We need to determine the best way to disperse the resources.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• postpone

Example

He avoids dispersing personal information online.

They recommend dispersing the seeds evenly for better growth.

I am considering dispersing the products to multiple locations.

Do you mind dispersing the brochures at the event?

She postponed dispersing the news until after the meeting.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to disperse the crowd peacefully. I would like dispersing the brochures in different areas.

They started to disperse the supplies to the affected areas. They started dispersing the donations to the victims.

He began to disperse the information to the team members. He began dispersing the flyers to the audience.