To Mope vs Moping 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 mope (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to mope around and instead focus on finding a solution.

Moping (Gerund)

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

Example

Moping around won't change the situation, so it's better to take action.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To mope (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To mope is not productive when faced with challenges.

  To mope is not productive when faced with challenges.

  • "*To mope*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective (not productive).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to mope with her after a bad day.

  She wants me to mope with her after a bad day.

  • "Me *to mope* with her after a bad day" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to mope* with her after a bad day).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a positive mindset to mope less.

  I need a positive mindset to mope less.

  • "*To mope* less" modifies the noun "mindset."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a positive mindset *to mope* less).

Moping (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Moping around only prolongs the feeling of sadness.

  Moping around only prolongs the feeling of sadness.

  • "*Moping* around" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (only prolongs) + noun phrase (the feeling of sadness).
• 2. Object

  I dislike moping for hours after a disappointment.

  I dislike moping for hours after a disappointment.

  • "*Moping* for hours after a disappointment" is the object of the verb "dislike."
  • Noun (I) + verb (dislike) + gerund (*moping* for hours after a disappointment).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of moping over every little setback.

  She has a habit of moping over every little setback.

  • "Of *moping* over every little setback" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *moping* over every little setback).

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

• refuse
• attempt
• pretend
• choose
• wish

Example

They refuse to mope and choose to take action instead.

He attempts to mope in silence, but his emotions get the best of him.

She pretends to mope to gain sympathy from others.

We choose to mope as a way to express our sadness.

I wish to mope all day, but I know it won't solve anything.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• imagine

Example

He avoids moping by engaging in activities that bring him joy.

They recommend against excessive moping for mental well-being.

I am considering moping for a while to process my emotions.

Do you mind me moping in this corner for a bit?

Can you imagine yourself moping over such a small issue?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She doesn't like to mope around when things go wrong. She doesn't like moping around when things go wrong.

We started to mope after receiving the bad news. We started moping after receiving the bad news.

He began to mope as soon as he heard the disappointing outcome. He began moping as soon as he heard the disappointing outcome.