to scamper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to scamper" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of running or moving quickly and lightly, often in a playful or hurried manner. Example: "The children began to scamper across the playground as soon as the bell rang."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pietersen drops-and-runs to scamper a quick single off Johnson's first.

The Guardian - Sport

The scoring got underway within two minutes, Tomkins exchanging passes with Josh Charnley to scamper over.

The Guardian - Sport

Valentine was amazed Cook had the presence of mind to scamper directly to the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

And nearly manages to scamper past the entire Irish team and touch down for a try.

The Guardian - Sport

You applaud him, the rebel in Burke's seminar, for refusing to scamper over the hot coals.

The New York Times

The pandas have 240-odd hectares (600 acres) of parkland in which to scamper.

The Guardian - Travel

Excellent bowling and Sangakkara edges one to scamper across for a single.

The Guardian - Sport

But Khune reacted quickly to scamper out of his box and head the ball to safety.

The Guardian - Sport

Far better than the mousy, introverted kind who resolutely refuse to scamper around doing jetés and arabesques.

The New York Times

I share their uniquely Jewish neurosis – that compunction to scamper like rabbits into a burrow when confronted by the limelight.

Independent

Roaming gangs periodically disrupted our baseball games in Riverside Park, causing us to scamper up the hill.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to scamper" to vividly describe quick, light, and often playful movement, particularly when depicting animals or children moving in a lively manner. It adds a touch of whimsy and energy to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "to scamper" in highly formal or serious contexts where a more dignified or neutral verb like "to run" or "to move quickly" would be more appropriate. The playful connotation of "to scamper" can undermine the tone of professional communication.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to scamper" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating an action. As supported by Ludwig, it describes a quick, light, and often playful movement. It commonly modifies nouns or acts as part of a verb construction to express the manner of movement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

35%

General

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to scamper" is a versatile and commonly used infinitive phrase, primarily functioning as a verb phrase that vividly describes a quick, light, and often playful movement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Its usage is most frequent in news and media contexts. While "to scamper" adds a touch of whimsy and energy, it should be used judiciously in formal settings, where more neutral alternatives might be preferable. Remember that while alternatives like "to dash" or "to scurry" can be used, the precise meaning will depend on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to scamper away

Adds emphasis on the act of moving away quickly from something.

to scurry

Similar to scamper, suggesting hurried and light steps, often due to fear or excitement.

to dart

Focuses on a sudden and swift movement, often in a specific direction.

to dash

Implies a quick run over a short distance, often with a sense of urgency.

to scramble

Indicates a hurried and often clumsy movement, typically involving climbing or crawling.

to scoot

Suggests moving quickly and quietly, often in a crouching or sliding position.

to bolt

Implies a sudden and rapid escape, often driven by fear.

to sprint

Emphasizes a very fast run over a short distance, highlighting speed.

to skip

Involves a light, springing step, often associated with playfulness or joy.

to hurry

A general term for moving quickly or acting with haste.

FAQs

How can I use "to scamper" in a sentence?

You can use "to scamper" to describe a quick, light movement, such as "The squirrels began "to scamper" up the tree" or "The children loved "to scamper" around the playground."

What's a good alternative to "to scamper"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "to scamper" include "to dash", "to scurry", "to dart", or "to hurry". Each carries a slightly different nuance of quick movement.

Is it appropriate to use "to scamper" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "to scamper" is generally more suitable for informal or descriptive writing. In formal contexts, consider using more neutral terms like "to proceed quickly" or "to move rapidly."

What's the difference between "to scamper" and "to scurry"?

"To scamper" typically implies a playful or light-hearted quick movement, while "to scurry" often suggests a more hurried or anxious movement, often due to fear or urgency. The choice depends on the intended tone and context.