To Scour vs Scouring 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 scour (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to scour the internet for information.

Scouring (Gerund)

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

Example

Scouring the internet can be overwhelming.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To scour (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To scour is a time-consuming task.

  To scour is a time-consuming task.

  • "*To scour*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a time-consuming task).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to scour the market for the best deals.

  She wants me to scour the market for the best deals.

  • "Me *to scour* the market for the best deals" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to scour* the market for the best deals).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a magnifying glass to scour the tiny print.

  I need a magnifying glass to scour the tiny print.

  • "*To scour* the tiny print" modifies the noun "magnifying glass."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a magnifying glass *to scour* the tiny print).

Scouring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Scouring the internet requires patience and perseverance.

  Scouring the internet requires patience and perseverance.

  • "*Scouring* the internet" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (patience and perseverance).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy scouring thrift stores for hidden treasures.

  I enjoy scouring thrift stores for hidden treasures.

  • "*Scouring* thrift stores for hidden treasures" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*scouring* thrift stores for hidden treasures).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a knack for scouring online forums for helpful advice.

  She has a knack for scouring online forums for helpful advice.

  • "For *scouring* online forums for helpful advice" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *scouring* online forums for helpful advice).

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

She plans to scour the library for research materials tomorrow.

They hope to scour the city for the perfect apartment during their visit.

He wants to scour the internet for the latest news.

We decided to scour the market for the best prices.

They agreed to scour the neighborhood together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys scouring antique shops for unique items.

They recommend regular scouring of job listings for new opportunities.

I dislike the idea of scouring through cluttered spaces.

He avoids scouring social media for negative comments.

Can you imagine yourself scouring the beach for seashells?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to scour the market for fresh produce. She likes scouring the market for fresh produce.

We started to scour the internet for vacation deals. We started scouring the internet for vacation deals.

He began to scour the city for a new job. He began scouring the city for a new job.