To Scan vs Scanning 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 scan (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to scan this document and send it to my boss.

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 is a time-consuming task.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To scan (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To scan is a common task in the office.

  To scan is a common task in the office.

  • "*To scan*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common task in the office).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to scan the receipt for her.

  She wants me to scan the receipt for her.

  • "Me *to scan* the receipt for her" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to scan* the receipt for her).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a scanner to scan all these documents.

  I need a scanner to scan all these documents.

  • "*To scan* all these documents" modifies the noun "scanner."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a scanner *to scan* all these documents).

Scanning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Scanning old photos brings back memories.

  Scanning old photos brings back memories.

  • "*Scanning* old photos" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (brings) + noun phrase (back memories).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy scanning articles for interesting information.

  I enjoy scanning articles for interesting information.

  • "*Scanning* articles for interesting information" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*scanning* articles for interesting information).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for scanning barcodes quickly.

  She has a talent for scanning barcodes quickly.

  • "For *scanning* barcodes quickly" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + 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

• decide
• offer
• refuse
• attempt
• pretend

Example

We decided to scan all the photos and save them digitally.

They offered to scan the old files and convert them to digital format.

He refused to scan the confidential documents without permission.

She attempted to scan the barcode but it didn't work.

They pretended to scan the document while actually just flipping through the pages.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• delay
• deny
• imagine

Example

He avoids scanning important documents late at night.

They recommend using a high-quality scanner for accurate scanning.

I delayed scanning the papers until I had more time.

She denied scanning any personal information from the documents.

Can you imagine scanning all these pages manually?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to scan her own photographs. She likes scanning her own photographs.

We began to scan the documents one by one. We began scanning the documents one by one.

He continues to scan the pages for errors. He continues scanning the pages for errors.