To Overeat vs Overeating 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 overeat (Infinitive)

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

Example

I need to control my urge to overeat for better health.

Overeating (Gerund)

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

Example

Overeating can lead to weight gain and other health issues.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To overeat (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To overeat is a common problem among many people.

  To overeat is a common problem among many people.

  • "*To overeat*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common problem among many people).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to overeat with her at the buffet.

  She wants me to overeat with her at the buffet.

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

  I need a diet plan to overeat less often.

  I need a diet plan to overeat less often.

  • "*To overeat* less often" modifies the noun "diet plan."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a diet plan *to overeat* less often).

Overeating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Overeating is a habit that should be avoided.

  Overeating is a habit that should be avoided.

  • "*Overeating*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a habit that should be avoided).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy overeating during the holidays.

  I enjoy overeating during the holidays.

  • "*Overeating* during the holidays" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*overeating* during the holidays).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a hard time controlling her overeating.

  She has a hard time controlling her overeating.

  • "Controlling her *overeating*" is the object of the preposition "controlling."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a hard time controlling her *overeating*).

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
• want
• decide
• refuse
• attempt

Example

She plans to overeat on her cheat day.

He wants to overeat his favorite desserts.

We decided to overeat at the all-you-can-eat buffet.

They refused to overeat unhealthy foods.

I attempted to overeat in the eating contest.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• mind
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys overeating at fancy restaurants.

They recommend avoiding excessive overeating for better digestion.

I don't mind overeating on special occasions.

He avoids overeating by practicing portion control.

Can you imagine overeating without feeling guilty?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to overeat on weekends. She likes overeating on weekends.

We started to overeat after a stressful day. We started overeating after a stressful day.

He began to overeat when he was feeling down. He began overeating when he was feeling down.