To Fancy vs Fancying 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 fancy (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to fancy a new hairstyle.

Fancying (Gerund)

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

Example

Fancying someone from afar can be both exciting and nerve-wracking.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To fancy (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To fancy is a common occurrence during adolescence.

  To fancy is a common occurrence during adolescence.

  • "*To fancy*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common occurrence during adolescence).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to fancy her new outfit.

  She wants me to fancy her new outfit.

  • "Me *to fancy* her new outfit" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to fancy* her new outfit).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a mirror to fancy myself.

  I need a mirror to fancy myself.

  • "*To fancy* myself" modifies the noun "mirror."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a mirror *to fancy* myself).

Fancying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Fancying someone is a normal part of human emotions.

  Fancying someone is a normal part of human emotions.

  • "*Fancying* someone" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a normal part of human emotions).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy fancying unique fashion trends.

  I enjoy fancying unique fashion trends.

  • "*Fancying* unique fashion trends" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*fancying* unique fashion trends).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of fancying things she cannot afford.

  She has a habit of fancying things she cannot afford.

  • "Of *fancying* things she cannot afford" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *fancying* things she cannot afford).

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 fancy a vacation in Europe next year.

They hope to fancy a romantic dinner for their anniversary.

He wants to fancy a luxurious car for his birthday.

We decided to fancy a night out at the theater.

They agreed to fancy a weekend getaway together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys fancying beautiful sunsets at the beach.

They recommend fancying a good book for relaxation.

I dislike the idea of fancying someone who is unavailable.

He avoids fancying people who play mind games.

Can you imagine yourself fancying someone famous?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to fancy expensive jewelry. She likes fancying expensive jewelry.

We started to fancy gourmet cooking. We started fancying gourmet cooking.

He began to fancy abstract art. He began fancying abstract art.