When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To overcompensate (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to overcompensate" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to overcompensate for my mistakes by working harder.
Overcompensating (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "overcompensating" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Overcompensating can lead to unrealistic expectations.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To overcompensate (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To overcompensate is not always the best solution.
To overcompensate is not always the best solution.
- "*To overcompensate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adverb (not always) + adjective (the best solution).
- 2Object
She wants me to overcompensate for her absence.
She wants me to overcompensate for her absence.
- "Me *to overcompensate* for her absence" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to overcompensate* for her absence).
- 3Adjective Modifier
He needs a bigger budget to overcompensate for the loss.
He needs a bigger budget to overcompensate for the loss.
- "*To overcompensate* for the loss" modifies the noun "budget."
- Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a bigger budget *to overcompensate* for the loss).
Overcompensating (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Overcompensating often results in dissatisfaction.
Overcompensating often results in dissatisfaction.
- "*Overcompensating*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + adverb (often) + verb (results) + noun (dissatisfaction).
- 2Object
I enjoy overcompensating for my shortcomings.
I enjoy overcompensating for my shortcomings.
- "*Overcompensating* for my shortcomings" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*overcompensating* for my shortcomings).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a habit of overcompensating for her mistakes.
She has a habit of overcompensating for her mistakes.
- "Of *overcompensating* for her mistakes" is the object of the preposition "of."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *overcompensating* for her mistakes).
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 overcompensate for the delay with extra resources.
I hope to overcompensate for my lack of experience with dedication and hard work.
She wants to overcompensate for her mistake by taking responsibility.
We decided to overcompensate for the error by offering a refund.
They agreed to overcompensate for the inconvenience by providing compensation.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They recommend overcompensating in order to achieve better results.
He avoids overcompensating for minor setbacks.
I consider overcompensating as a way to make up for past failures.
Can you imagine yourself overcompensating for every small mistake?
She resists the urge to overcompensate when facing challenges.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
I like to overcompensate for my weaknesses. I like overcompensating to prove myself.
They started to overcompensate after receiving negative feedback. They started overcompensating in order to impress their boss.
He began to overcompensate for his mistakes by working overtime. He began overcompensating to regain trust and credibility.
