To Frock vs Frocking 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 frock (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to frock myself in a beautiful gown for the party.

Frocking (Gerund)

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

Example

Frocking is a fun way to express one's style.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To frock (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To frock is her favorite activity during the weekends.

  To frock is her favorite activity during the weekends.

  • "*To frock*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (her favorite activity during the weekends).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to frock her for the event.

  She wants me to frock her for the event.

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

  I need a new dress to frock in at the party.

  I need a new dress to frock in at the party.

  • "*To frock* in at the party" modifies the noun "dress."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a new dress *to frock* in at the party).

Frocking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Frocking has become a popular trend among fashion enthusiasts.

  Frocking has become a popular trend among fashion enthusiasts.

  • "*Frocking*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (has become) + noun phrase (a popular trend among fashion enthusiasts).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy frocking myself in different outfits for special occasions.

  I enjoy frocking myself in different outfits for special occasions.

  • "*Frocking* myself in different outfits for special occasions" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*frocking* myself in different outfits for special occasions).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for frocking in vintage dresses.

  She has a passion for frocking in vintage dresses.

  • "For *frocking* in vintage dresses" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *frocking* in vintage dresses).

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 frock in a designer gown for the red carpet event.

They hope to frock themselves in matching outfits for the family photo.

He wants to frock in a traditional attire for the cultural festival.

We decided to frock our children in cute costumes for Halloween.

They agreed to frock in formal attire for the wedding.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys frocking in stylish outfits every day.

They recommend experimenting with different styles of frocking for a unique look.

I dislike the idea of frocking in uncomfortable clothes.

He avoids frocking in bright colors.

Can you imagine yourself frocking like a celebrity?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to frock in elegant dresses. She likes frocking in elegant dresses.

We started to frock for costume parties. We started frocking for costume parties.

He began to frock himself in trendy clothes. He began frocking himself in trendy clothes.