To Overclimb vs Overclimbing 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 overclimb (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to overclimb the mountain to test my endurance.

Overclimbing (Gerund)

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

Example

Overclimbing can lead to exhaustion and injury.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To overclimb (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To overclimb is a risky decision.

  To overclimb is a risky decision.

  • "*To overclimb*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a risky decision).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to overclimb the peak with her.

  She wants me to overclimb the peak with her.

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

  I need proper gear to overclimb this challenging route.

  I need proper gear to overclimb this challenging route.

  • "*To overclimb* this challenging route" modifies the noun "gear."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (proper gear *to overclimb* this challenging route).

Overclimbing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Overclimbing requires careful planning and preparation.

  Overclimbing requires careful planning and preparation.

  • "*Overclimbing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (careful planning and preparation).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy overclimbing challenging routes.

  I enjoy overclimbing challenging routes.

  • "*Overclimbing* challenging routes" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*overclimbing* challenging routes).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for overclimbing dangerous peaks.

  She has a passion for overclimbing dangerous peaks.

  • "For *overclimbing* dangerous peaks" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *overclimbing* dangerous peaks).

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

• plan
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

He plans to overclimb the highest peak in the region next year.

They hope to overclimb the mountain range during their expedition.

She wants to overclimb the cliff face without any assistance.

We decided to overclimb the steep slope despite the risks.

They agreed to overclimb the mountain together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys overclimbing in remote locations.

They recommend gradual overclimbing for acclimatization.

I dislike the idea of overclimbing without proper training.

She avoids overclimbing during extreme weather conditions.

Can you imagine yourself overclimbing the highest peak in the world?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to overclimb challenging routes. I like overclimbing challenging routes.

They started to overclimb mountains as a team. They started overclimbing mountains as a team.

He began to overclimb difficult rock formations. He began overclimbing difficult rock formations.