To Mock vs Mocking 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 mock (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to mock others because it's not kind.

Mocking (Gerund)

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

Example

Mocking others is hurtful and disrespectful.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To mock (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To mock is a form of bullying.

  To mock is a form of bullying.

  • "*To mock*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a form of bullying).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to mock her in the play.

  She wants me to mock her in the play.

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

  I need a costume to mock the character.

  I need a costume to mock the character.

  • "*To mock* the character" modifies the noun "costume."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a costume *to mock* the character).

Mocking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Mocking is considered a form of verbal abuse.

  Mocking is considered a form of verbal abuse.

  • "*Mocking*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a form of verbal abuse).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy mocking my friends in a playful way.

  I enjoy mocking my friends in a playful way.

  • "*Mocking* my friends in a playful way" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*mocking* my friends in a playful way).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He was caught in the act of mocking his boss.

  He was caught in the act of mocking his boss.

  • "The act of *mocking* his boss" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (was) + noun phrase (the act of *mocking* his boss).

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
• refuse
• attempt
• pretend
• wish

Example

We decided to mock the rival team during the pep rally.

They refuse to mock their classmates for their differences.

He attempted to mock the teacher's accent, but failed.

She pretends to mock her little brother to make him laugh.

I wish to mock the fashion trends of the past.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• imagine
• understand

Example

She avoids mocking others because she believes in kindness.

They consider mocking to be a sign of insecurity.

I recommend not mocking people's appearances.

Can you imagine someone mocking your achievements?

He understands the harm caused by mocking others.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to mock her friends' silly jokes. She likes mocking her friends' silly jokes.

We started to mock each other playfully. We started mocking each other playfully.

He began to mock the opposing team's chants. He began mocking the opposing team's chants.