To Scroll vs Scrolling 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 scroll (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to scroll through the entire article to find the information I need.

Scrolling (Gerund)

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

Example

Scrolling is a convenient way to navigate through a webpage.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To scroll (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To scroll is a common action when using a touchscreen device.

  To scroll is a common action when using a touchscreen device.

  • "*To scroll*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (a common action when using a touchscreen device).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to scroll to the bottom of the page.

  She wants me to scroll to the bottom of the page.

  • "Me *to scroll* to the bottom of the page" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to scroll* to the bottom of the page).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a mouse to scroll faster.

  I need a mouse to scroll faster.

  • "*To scroll* faster" modifies the noun "mouse."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a mouse *to scroll* faster).

Scrolling (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Scrolling helps you find the information you need faster.

  Scrolling helps you find the information you need faster.

  • "*Scrolling*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (helps) + noun phrase (you find the information you need faster).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy scrolling through social media feeds.

  I enjoy scrolling through social media feeds.

  • "*Scrolling* through social media feeds" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*scrolling* through social media feeds).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of scrolling through articles before reading them.

  She has a habit of scrolling through articles before reading them.

  • "Of *scrolling* through articles before reading them" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *scrolling* through articles before reading them).

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
• attempt
• refuse
• wish
• pretend

Example

We decided to scroll through the options before making a choice.

He attempted to scroll to the next page, but it didn't work.

They refused to scroll down to read the rest of the article.

I wish to scroll smoothly without any lag.

She pretended to scroll through her messages while avoiding eye contact.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• imagine

Example

He enjoys scrolling through photos on his phone.

I avoid scrolling for too long to prevent eye strain.

They are considering scrolling through the document for important details.

Experts recommend continuous scrolling for better user experience.

Can you imagine spending hours scrolling through social media?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to scroll through news articles. She likes scrolling through news articles.

I started to scroll through the comments section. I started scrolling through the comments section.

He began to scroll down to view the rest of the webpage. He began scrolling down to view the rest of the webpage.