To Overlaid vs Overlaying 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 overlaid (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to overlaid the image with text.

Overlaying (Gerund)

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

Example

Overlaying images can enhance visual impact.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To overlaid (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To overlaid the design is a creative choice.

  To overlaid the design is a creative choice.

  • "*To overlaid* the design" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a creative choice).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to overlaid the photo with filters.

  She wants me to overlaid the photo with filters.

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

  I need a software to overlaid multiple images.

  I need a software to overlaid multiple images.

  • "*To overlaid* multiple images" modifies the noun "software."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a software *to overlaid* multiple images).

Overlaying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Overlaying colors creates interesting effects.

  Overlaying colors creates interesting effects.

  • "*Overlaying* colors" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (creates) + noun phrase (interesting effects).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy overlaying textures in my artwork.

  I enjoy overlaying textures in my artwork.

  • "*Overlaying* textures in my artwork" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*overlaying* textures in my artwork).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for overlaying images.

  She has a talent for overlaying images.

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

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

She plans to overlaid the background with patterns.

They hope to overlaid the video with special effects.

He wants to overlaid the text on the image.

We decided to overlaid the logo on the banner.

They agreed to overlaid the watermark on the document.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys overlaying patterns in her designs.

They recommend overlaying text on images for better communication.

I dislike the idea of overlaying too many elements in a composition.

He avoids overlaying conflicting colors in his artwork.

Can you imagine overlaying different textures to create depth?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to overlaid images with filters. She likes overlaying images with filters.

We started to overlaid the background with patterns. We started overlaying the background with patterns.

He began to overlaid the text on the image. He began overlaying the text on the image.