To Freak vs Freaking 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 freak (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to freak out during the presentation.

Freaking (Gerund)

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

Example

Freaking out is not a productive way to handle stress.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To freak (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To freak out is a normal reaction in stressful situations.

  To freak out is a normal reaction in stressful situations.

  • "*To freak* out" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a normal reaction in stressful situations).
• 2. Object

  She doesn't want him to freak out about the situation.

  She doesn't want him to freak out about the situation.

  • "Him *to freak* out about the situation" is the object of the verb "doesn't want."
  • Noun (She) + verb (doesn't want) + noun phrase (him *to freak* out about the situation).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  They need a calm environment to freak out less.

  They need a calm environment to freak out less.

  • "*To freak* out less" modifies the noun "environment."
  • Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a calm environment *to freak* out less).

Freaking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Freaking out can be a sign of anxiety.

  Freaking out can be a sign of anxiety.

  • "*Freaking* out" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (can be) + noun phrase (a sign of anxiety).
• 2. Object

  I can't stand her constant freaking out about every little thing.

  I can't stand her constant freaking out about every little thing.

  • "Her constant *freaking* out about every little thing" is the object of the verb "can't stand."
  • Noun (I) + verb (can't stand) + gerund (her constant *freaking* out about every little thing).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They have a fear of freaking out in public.

  They have a fear of freaking out in public.

  • "Of *freaking* out in public" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (have) + noun phrase (a fear of *freaking* out in public).

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

• hope
• plan
• decide
• refuse
• pretend

Example

I hope to freak out less in social situations.

She plans to freak out if she sees a spider.

We decided to freak out together during the horror movie.

He refused to freak out even when faced with a dangerous situation.

They pretended to freak out to scare their friends.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• imagine

Example

He avoids freaking out by practicing deep breathing exercises.

I am considering freaking out if things don't go as planned.

They recommend seeking professional help for excessive freaking out.

Do you mind me freaking out during scary movies?

Can you imagine yourself freaking out in a haunted house?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• stop

Example

She likes to freak out when watching horror movies. She likes freaking out when watching horror movies.

He began to freak out after hearing the loud noise. He began freaking out after hearing the loud noise.

They can't stop to freak out over small mistakes. They can't stop freaking out over small mistakes.