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 all the documents to create a digital archive.
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 is an efficient way to convert physical documents into digital format.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To scan (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To scan is a necessary step in digitizing old photos.
To scan is a necessary step in digitizing old photos.
- "*To scan*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a necessary step in digitizing old photos).
- 2Object
She wants me to scan the entire book.
She wants me to scan the entire book.
- "Me *to scan* the entire book" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to scan* the entire book).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a high-quality scanner to scan the images.
I need a high-quality scanner to scan the images.
- "*To scan* the images" modifies the noun "scanner."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a high-quality scanner *to scan* the images).
Scanning (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Scanning requires attention to detail.
Scanning requires attention to detail.
- "*Scanning*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (attention to detail).
- 2Object
I enjoy scanning old photographs.
I enjoy scanning old photographs.
- "*Scanning* old photographs" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*scanning* old photographs).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a passion for scanning historical documents.
She has a passion for scanning historical documents.
- "For *scanning* historical documents" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *scanning* historical documents).
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
She plans to scan all the documents tomorrow.
They hope to scan the photos with better resolution.
He wants to scan the receipts for tax purposes.
We decided to scan the old letters for preservation.
They agreed to scan the contracts together.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys scanning family albums in her free time.
They recommend regular scanning to reduce paper clutter.
I avoid scanning sensitive documents on public computers.
Can you imagine scanning all your books into a digital library?
He is considering scanning his handwritten notes for easier access.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to scan important documents. She likes scanning important documents.
We started to scan our old photos. We started scanning our old photos.
He began to scan the pages of the book. He began scanning the pages of the book.
