When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To feign (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to feign" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
He decided to feign illness to avoid going to the party.
Feigning (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "feigning" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Feigning confidence can help you overcome nervousness.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To feign (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To feign ignorance is not a good strategy.
To feign ignorance is not a good strategy.
- "*To feign* ignorance" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a good strategy).
- 2Object
She wants me to feign surprise when she announces the news.
She wants me to feign surprise when she announces the news.
- "Me *to feign* surprise" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to feign* surprise).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a good excuse to feign being busy.
I need a good excuse to feign being busy.
- "*To feign* being busy" modifies the noun "excuse."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a good excuse *to feign* being busy).
Feigning (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Feigning ignorance is not a good strategy.
Feigning ignorance is not a good strategy.
- "*Feigning* ignorance" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a good strategy).
- 2Object
I enjoy feigning surprise at their jokes.
I enjoy feigning surprise at their jokes.
- "*Feigning* surprise" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*feigning* surprise).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for feigning interest in boring conversations.
She has a talent for feigning interest in boring conversations.
- "For *feigning* interest" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *feigning* interest).
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
Example
She plans to feign interest in the conversation.
They hope to feign innocence during the trial.
He wants to feign surprise when he receives the gift.
We decided to feign agreement to avoid conflict.
They agreed to feign enthusiasm for the project.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
She enjoys feigning ignorance to play pranks.
They recommend feigning confidence in job interviews.
I dislike the act of feigning happiness when I'm sad.
He avoids feigning interest in topics he finds boring.
Can you imagine yourself feigning surprise at the surprise party?
