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To Pretend vs Pretending Infinitives & Gerunds

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by the word "to" (e.g., to swim, to eat, to learn). It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Infinitives are often used to express intentions, purposes, desires, or potential actions. Gerunds: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb (e.g., swimming, eating, learning). It’s different from a “present participle” which functions as a verb tense. A gerund can be the subject, object, or complement of a sentence.

When and How to Use Each Expression?

Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!

To pretend (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to pretend to be a superhero.

Pretending (Gerund)

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

Example

Pretending to be someone else can be entertaining.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To pretend (Infinitive)

  • 1Subject

    To pretend is a fun way to use your imagination.

    To pretend is a fun way to use your imagination.

    • "*To pretend*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
    • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a fun way to use your imagination).
  • 2Object

    She wants me to pretend to be her assistant.

    She wants me to pretend to be her assistant.

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

    He needs a costume to pretend to be a pirate.

    He needs a costume to pretend to be a pirate.

    • "*To pretend* to be a pirate" modifies the noun "costume."
    • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a costume *to pretend* to be a pirate).

Pretending (Gerund)

  • 1Subject

    Pretending is a common activity among children.

    Pretending is a common activity among children.

    • "*Pretending*" is the subject of the sentence.
    • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common activity among children).
  • 2Object

    I enjoy pretending to be a superhero.

    I enjoy pretending to be a superhero.

    • "*Pretending* to be a superhero" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
    • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*pretending* to be a superhero).
  • 3Object of Preposition

    She has a talent for pretending to be different characters.

    She has a talent for pretending to be different characters.

    • "For *pretending*" is the object of the preposition "for."
    • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *pretending* to be different characters).

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

Example

We agreed to pretend to be characters from a movie for the party.

They hope to pretend to be famous celebrities for a day.

She wants to pretend to be a detective and solve mysteries.

He decided to pretend to be a chef and cook a gourmet meal.

They offered to pretend to be animals for the school play.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

Example

They enjoy pretending to be princesses in their games.

I recommend pretending to be a news reporter for a day.

He avoids pretending to be someone he's not.

Can you imagine yourself pretending to be a famous singer?

She couldn't resist pretending to be a movie star at the party.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

Example

She likes to pretend to be a teacher. She likes pretending to be a teacher.

We started to pretend to be superheroes. We started pretending to be superheroes.

He began to pretend to be a magician. He began pretending to be a magician.

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