When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To overabsorb (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to overabsorb" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
The company needs to overabsorb the excess inventory to prevent losses.
Overabsorbing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "overabsorbing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Overabsorbing resources can lead to inefficiency and waste.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To overabsorb (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To overabsorb is not a sustainable business strategy.
To overabsorb is not a sustainable business strategy.
- "*To overabsorb*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a sustainable business strategy).
- 2Object
We want them to overabsorb the costs of the project.
We want them to overabsorb the costs of the project.
- "Them *to overabsorb* the costs of the project" is the object of the verb "want."
- Noun (We) + verb (want) + noun phrase (them *to overabsorb* the costs of the project).
- 3Adjective Modifier
The company requires a large warehouse to overabsorb the excess supply.
The company requires a large warehouse to overabsorb the excess supply.
- "*To overabsorb* the excess supply" modifies the noun "warehouse."
- Noun (The company) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (a large warehouse *to overabsorb* the excess supply).
Overabsorbing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Overabsorbing is not recommended in resource management.
Overabsorbing is not recommended in resource management.
- "*Overabsorbing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not recommended in resource management).
- 2Object
They enjoy overabsorbing information from various sources.
They enjoy overabsorbing information from various sources.
- "*Overabsorbing* information from various sources" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (They) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*overabsorbing* information from various sources).
- 3Object of Preposition
He has a habit of overabsorbing other people's opinions.
He has a habit of overabsorbing other people's opinions.
- "Of *overabsorbing* other people's opinions" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *overabsorbing* other people's opinions).
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
They plan to overabsorb the increased demand with their new production facility.
I hope to overabsorb the costs through cost-saving measures.
The management team decided to overabsorb the expenses to maintain customer satisfaction.
He chose to overabsorb the losses rather than passing them on to customers.
We determined to overabsorb the surplus to stabilize the market.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
Experts recommend avoiding overabsorbing resources to achieve optimal efficiency.
She avoids overabsorbing unnecessary information to stay focused.
We are considering overabsorbing the excess workforce in other departments.
They suggest overabsorbing the surplus funds in profitable investments.
Do you mind overabsorbing the additional workload temporarily?
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I would like to overabsorb any potential risks. I would like overabsorbing any potential risks.
He started to overabsorb the available resources. He started overabsorbing the available resources.
We began to overabsorb the excess inventory. We began overabsorbing the excess inventory.
