To Dispose vs Disposing 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 dispose (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to dispose of this trash properly.

Disposing (Gerund)

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

Example

Disposing of waste in landfills is harmful to the environment.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To dispose (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To dispose of hazardous waste requires special training.

  To dispose of hazardous waste requires special training.

  • "*To dispose* of hazardous waste" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (special training).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to dispose of the old furniture.

  She wants me to dispose of the old furniture.

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

  We need a bin to dispose of recyclable materials.

  We need a bin to dispose of recyclable materials.

  • "*To dispose* of recyclable materials" modifies the noun "bin."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a bin *to dispose* of recyclable materials).

Disposing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Disposing of hazardous materials requires caution.

  Disposing of hazardous materials requires caution.

  • "*Disposing* of hazardous materials" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (caution).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy disposing of unwanted items through recycling.

  I enjoy disposing of unwanted items through recycling.

  • "*Disposing* of unwanted items through recycling" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*disposing* of unwanted items through recycling).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for disposing of waste efficiently.

  She has a talent for disposing of waste efficiently.

  • "For *disposing* of waste efficiently" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *disposing* of waste efficiently).

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

They plan to dispose of the hazardous chemicals safely.

I hope to dispose of the garbage before it starts to smell.

He wants to dispose of the unwanted items in the attic.

We decided to dispose of the old electronics responsibly.

They agreed to dispose of the broken furniture together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine

Example

They enjoy disposing of their old belongings at yard sales.

Experts recommend disposing of expired medications properly.

We should avoid disposing of chemicals down the drain.

I am considering disposing of the plastic bottles separately.

Can you imagine the benefits of disposing of waste responsibly?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He likes to dispose of unwanted items in an eco-friendly manner. He likes disposing of unwanted items in an eco-friendly manner.

She started to dispose of her old clothes for donation. She started disposing of her old clothes for donation.

They began to dispose of their household waste in a compost bin. They began disposing of their household waste in a compost bin.