To Dissect vs Dissecting 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 dissect (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to dissect the frog in biology class.

Dissecting (Gerund)

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

Example

Dissecting animals can be a fascinating learning experience.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To dissect (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To dissect is a complex procedure that requires precision.

  To dissect is a complex procedure that requires precision.

  • "*To dissect*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a complex procedure that requires precision).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to dissect the specimen.

  She wants me to dissect the specimen.

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

  I need a scalpel to dissect the cadaver.

  I need a scalpel to dissect the cadaver.

  • "*To dissect* the cadaver" modifies the noun "scalpel."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a scalpel *to dissect* the cadaver).

Dissecting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Dissecting a frog is a common activity in biology class.

  Dissecting a frog is a common activity in biology class.

  • "*Dissecting* a frog" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common activity in biology class).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy dissecting specimens in the lab.

  I enjoy dissecting specimens in the lab.

  • "*Dissecting* specimens in the lab" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*dissecting* specimens in the lab).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for dissecting complex organisms.

  She has a talent for dissecting complex organisms.

  • "For *dissecting* complex organisms" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *dissecting* complex organisms).

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 dissect the pig next week.

They hope to dissect a human brain in their anatomy class.

He wants to dissect the owl pellet to learn about its diet.

We decided to dissect the flower to study its reproductive organs.

They agreed to dissect the earthworm together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys dissecting insects to understand their anatomy.

They recommend dissecting flowers to learn about pollination.

I dislike the process of dissecting small animals.

He avoids dissecting live specimens whenever possible.

Can you imagine yourself dissecting a shark?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to dissect various organisms. She likes dissecting various organisms.

We started to dissect frogs in high school. We started dissecting frogs in high school.

He began to dissect plants to study their structure. He began dissecting plants to study their structure.