When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To scan (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to scan" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I need to scan this document and send it via email.
Scanning (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "scanning" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Scanning documents saves time and reduces paper clutter.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To scan (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To scan is a necessary step in the digitalization process.
To scan is a necessary step in the digitalization process.
- "*To scan*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a necessary step in the digitalization process).
- 2Object
She wants me to scan all the pages of the book.
She wants me to scan all the pages of the book.
- "Me *to scan* all the pages of the book" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to scan* all the pages of the book).
- 3Adjective Modifier
We need a high-quality scanner to scan these images.
We need a high-quality scanner to scan these images.
- "*To scan* these images" modifies the noun "scanner."
- Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a high-quality scanner *to scan* these images).
Scanning (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Scanning is an essential part of the digitization process.
Scanning is an essential part of the digitization process.
- "*Scanning*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (an essential part of the digitization process).
- 2Object
I enjoy scanning old photographs and preserving memories.
I enjoy scanning old photographs and preserving memories.
- "*Scanning* old photographs and preserving memories" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*scanning* old photographs and preserving memories).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a talent for scanning barcodes quickly.
He has a talent for scanning barcodes quickly.
- "For *scanning* barcodes quickly" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *scanning* barcodes quickly).
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
Example
They plan to scan all the receipts for tax purposes.
He hopes to scan the old photographs and preserve them digitally.
We want to scan the entire library collection for archiving.
She decided to scan the documents instead of making photocopies.
They agreed to scan the contract and email it to the client.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They recommend using a high-speed scanner for efficient scanning.
I avoid scanning sensitive documents on public scanners.
Can you imagine the convenience of scanning documents directly to the cloud?
She is considering scanning the entire photo album for easy access.
He doesn't mind scanning the invoices for the accounting department.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I would like to scan the handwritten notes. I would like scanning the handwritten notes.
We started to scan all the documents for the project. We started scanning all the documents for the project.
She began to scan the photos into digital format. She began scanning the photos into digital format.
