To Fake vs Faking 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 fake (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to fake my enthusiasm for the project.

Faking (Gerund)

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

Example

Faking a smile can be exhausting.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To fake (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To fake a smile is sometimes necessary.

  To fake a smile is sometimes necessary.

  • "*To fake* a smile" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (sometimes necessary).
• 2. Object

  She asked him to fake his confidence during the presentation.

  She asked him to fake his confidence during the presentation.

  • "Him *to fake* his confidence during the presentation" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (She) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (him *to fake* his confidence during the presentation).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a reason to fake being busy.

  I need a reason to fake being busy.

  • "*To fake* being busy" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reason *to fake* being busy).

Faking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Faking enthusiasm is not sustainable in the long run.

  Faking enthusiasm is not sustainable in the long run.

  • "*Faking* enthusiasm" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not sustainable in the long run).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy faking a British accent.

  I enjoy faking a British accent.

  • "*Faking* a British accent" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*faking* a British accent).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for faking confidence.

  He has a talent for faking confidence.

  • "For *faking* confidence" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *faking* confidence).

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

• refuse
• attempt
• pretend
• decide
• wish

Example

He refused to fake his emotions during the interview.

They attempted to fake their identities to gain access.

She pretended to fake surprise when she received the gift.

We decided to fake our way into the party.

I wish to fake confidence in social situations.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• imagine

Example

She avoids faking interest in topics she doesn't care about.

They are considering faking illness to get out of work.

Experts recommend against faking qualifications on resumes.

Do you mind faking enthusiasm for the event?

Can you imagine yourself faking a foreign accent?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I don't like to fake happiness. I don't like faking happiness.

She began to fake her identity. She began faking her identity.

They continue to fake their friendship. They continue faking their friendship.