To Frown vs Frowning 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 frown (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to frown even when things go wrong.

Frowning (Gerund)

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

Example

Frowning can create wrinkles on your forehead.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To frown (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To frown is considered impolite in some cultures.

  To frown is considered impolite in some cultures.

  • "*To frown*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (considered impolite in some cultures).
• 2. Object

  She doesn't want me to frown during the meeting.

  She doesn't want me to frown during the meeting.

  • "Me *to frown* during the meeting" is the object of the verb "doesn't want."
  • Noun (She) + verb (doesn't want) + noun phrase (me *to frown* during the meeting).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a reason to frown at his boss.

  He needs a reason to frown at his boss.

  • "*To frown* at his boss" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a reason *to frown* at his boss).

Frowning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Frowning is a sign of disapproval.

  Frowning is a sign of disapproval.

  • "*Frowning*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of disapproval).
• 2. Object

  I don't enjoy frowning in photographs.

  I don't enjoy frowning in photographs.

  • "*Frowning* in photographs" is the object of the verb "don't enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (don't enjoy) + gerund (*frowning* in photographs).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of frowning when she's deep in thought.

  She has a habit of frowning when she's deep in thought.

  • "Of *frowning* when she's deep in thought" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *frowning* when she's deep in thought).

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

• decide
• manage
• pretend
• hope
• want

Example

We decided to frown upon such behavior.

She managed to frown less often by practicing mindfulness.

They pretended to frown when they heard the bad news.

I hope not to frown when I receive criticism.

He wants to frown at the rude customer.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• mind
• consider
• imagine

Example

He avoids frowning in public to appear more approachable.

Doctors recommend frowning less to reduce facial muscle tension.

I don't mind frowning if it helps me concentrate.

They consider frowning a sign of annoyance.

Can you imagine yourself frowning at someone you love?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to frown when she's concentrating. She likes frowning when she's concentrating.

We started to frown less after learning about its negative effects. We started frowning less after learning about its negative effects.

He began to frown as soon as he heard the bad news. He began frowning as soon as he heard the bad news.