To Scooch vs Scooching 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 scooch (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to scooch over to make room for you.

Scooching (Gerund)

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

Example

Scooching is a handy technique for fitting into tight spaces.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To scooch (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To scooch is a common way to create more space.

  To scooch is a common way to create more space.

  • "*To scooch*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common way to create more space).
• 2. Object

  She asked him to scooch closer to her.

  She asked him to scooch closer to her.

  • "Him *to scooch* closer to her" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to scooch* closer to her).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a chair to scooch in comfortably.

  I need a chair to scooch in comfortably.

  • "*To scooch* in comfortably" modifies the noun "chair."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a chair *to scooch* in comfortably).

Scooching (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Scooching can be challenging when there's not much room.

  Scooching can be challenging when there's not much room.

  • "*Scooching*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + adjective phrase (challenging when there's not much room).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy scooching my chair closer to the table.

  I enjoy scooching my chair closer to the table.

  • "*Scooching* my chair closer to the table" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*scooching* my chair closer to the table).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for scooching through narrow passages.

  She has a talent for scooching through narrow passages.

  • "For *scooching* through narrow passages" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *scooching* through narrow passages).

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 plan to scooch over and make space for their guests.

I hope to scooch closer to the stage at the concert.

He wants to scooch up to the front row.

We decided to scooch our chairs together for better conversation.

They agreed to scooch to one side to allow more people to sit.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• avoid
• imagine
• mind

Example

He enjoys scooching along the bench to make space for others.

They recommend scooching your chair forward to reach the table.

I avoid scooching in crowded areas where personal space is limited.

Can you imagine yourself scooching through a small tunnel?

Do you mind scooching a bit to let me sit down?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to scooch over and share the couch. She likes scooching over and sharing the couch.

We started to scooch our chairs closer for better conversation. We started scooching our chairs closer for better conversation.

He began to scooch his bag under the seat. He began scooching his bag under the seat.