To Unlade vs Unlading 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 unlade (Infinitive)

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

Example

The workers were instructed to unlade the cargo from the ship.

Unlading (Gerund)

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

Example

Unlading the cargo requires careful handling.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To unlade (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To unlade the goods is their responsibility.

  To unlade the goods is their responsibility.

  • "*To unlade* the goods" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (their responsibility).
• 2. Object

  He asked his assistant to unlade the boxes.

  He asked his assistant to unlade the boxes.

  • "His assistant *to unlade* the boxes" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (He) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (his assistant *to unlade* the boxes).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  We need a forklift to unlade the heavy crates.

  We need a forklift to unlade the heavy crates.

  • "*To unlade* the heavy crates" modifies the noun "forklift."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a forklift *to unlade* the heavy crates).

Unlading (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Unlading the goods should be done with caution.

  Unlading the goods should be done with caution.

  • "*Unlading* the goods" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (should be done) + noun phrase (with caution).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys unlading the packages from the truck.

  She enjoys unlading the packages from the truck.

  • "*Unlading* the packages from the truck" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*unlading* the packages from the truck).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are experts in the process of unlading.

  They are experts in the process of unlading.

  • "In the process of *unlading*" is the object of the preposition "in."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are) + noun phrase (experts in the process of *unlading*).

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 are planning to unlade the shipment tomorrow.

She hopes to unlade the goods before the end of the day.

He wants to unlade the cargo carefully.

We decided to unlade the containers at the warehouse.

They agreed to unlade the products together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys unlading the cargo ship.

They recommend professional assistance for safe unlading.

I dislike the task of unlading heavy items.

She avoids unlading fragile packages.

Can you imagine yourself unlading the entire shipment alone?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

We would like to unlade the containers as soon as possible. We would like unlading the cargo to be done efficiently.

They started to unlade the goods from the truck. They started unlading the merchandise without delay.

He began to unlade the boxes one by one. He began unlading the shipments methodically.