To Overcome vs Overcoming 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 overcome (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to overcome my fear of public speaking.

Overcoming (Gerund)

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

Example

Overcoming obstacles is a part of life.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To overcome (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To overcome challenges is a sign of strength.

  To overcome challenges is a sign of strength.

  • "*To overcome* challenges" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of strength).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to overcome my insecurities.

  She wants me to overcome my insecurities.

  • "Me *to overcome* my insecurities" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to overcome* my insecurities).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a plan to overcome this obstacle.

  I need a plan to overcome this obstacle.

  • "*To overcome* this obstacle" modifies the noun "plan."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a plan *to overcome* this obstacle).

Overcoming (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Overcoming challenges requires determination.

  Overcoming challenges requires determination.

  • "*Overcoming* challenges" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (determination).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy overcoming difficult situations.

  I enjoy overcoming difficult situations.

  • "*Overcoming* difficult situations" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*overcoming* difficult situations).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for overcoming adversity.

  She has a talent for overcoming adversity.

  • "For *overcoming* adversity" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *overcoming* adversity).

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

• hope
• want
• decide
• struggle
• choose

Example

They hope to overcome their financial difficulties.

He wants to overcome his fear of heights.

We decided to overcome the language barrier.

She struggles to overcome her past trauma.

They chose to overcome their differences and work together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• imagine
• mind

Example

He avoids overcoming challenges by taking the easy way out.

They consider overcoming their fears as a personal achievement.

I recommend overcoming obstacles through perseverance.

Can you imagine yourself overcoming your biggest fear?

Do you mind overcoming obstacles to achieve your goals?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to overcome difficult situations. She likes overcoming difficult situations.

We started to overcome our fears. We started overcoming our fears.

He began to overcome his self-doubt. He began overcoming his self-doubt.