To Mouse vs Mousing 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 mouse (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to mouse on a wireless trackpad.

Mousing (Gerund)

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

Example

Mousing is a common activity while using a computer.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To mouse (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To mouse is an essential skill for using a computer.

  To mouse is an essential skill for using a computer.

  • "*To mouse*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential skill for using a computer).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to mouse on the touch screen.

  She wants me to mouse on the touch screen.

  • "Me *to mouse* on the touch screen" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to mouse* on the touch screen).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a new mouse to mouse more efficiently.

  I need a new mouse to mouse more efficiently.

  • "*To mouse* more efficiently" modifies the noun "mouse."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a new mouse *to mouse* more efficiently).

Mousing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Mousing requires hand-eye coordination.

  Mousing requires hand-eye coordination.

  • "*Mousing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (hand-eye coordination).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy mousing on a touchpad.

  I enjoy mousing on a touchpad.

  • "*Mousing* on a touchpad" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*mousing* on a touchpad).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a preference for mousing with a trackball.

  She has a preference for mousing with a trackball.

  • "For *mousing* with a trackball" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a preference for *mousing* with a trackball).

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

• decide
• hope
• want
• attempt
• learn

Example

He decided to mouse with a wireless mouse.

They hope to mouse without any difficulties.

She wants to mouse with precision and accuracy.

I attempted to mouse with my non-dominant hand.

We are learning to mouse using keyboard shortcuts.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• imagine
• consider
• practice

Example

He avoids mousing for long periods of time.

They recommend using ergonomically designed devices for comfortable mousing.

Can you imagine yourself mousing without a mouse?

I am considering mousing with a touch screen.

She practices mousing with different sensitivity settings.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to mouse with a wireless trackpad. She likes mousing on a wireless trackpad.

We started to mouse with a gaming mouse. We started mousing with a gaming mouse.

He began to mouse more accurately. He began mousing more accurately.