To Overlay 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 overlay (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to overlay the image with text for added effect.

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 the visual appeal of a design.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To overlay (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To overlay is a common technique used in graphic design.

  To overlay is a common technique used in graphic design.

  • "*To overlay*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common technique used in graphic design).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to overlay the video with subtitles.

  She wants me to overlay the video with subtitles.

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

  We need a transparent layer to overlay on top of the image.

  We need a transparent layer to overlay on top of the image.

  • "*To overlay* on top of the image" modifies the noun "layer."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a transparent layer *to overlay* on top of the image).

Overlaying (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Overlaying different textures creates a unique visual effect.

  Overlaying different textures creates a unique visual effect.

  • "*Overlaying* different textures" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (creates) + noun phrase (a unique visual effect).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy overlaying colors to create a vibrant composition.

  I enjoy overlaying colors to create a vibrant composition.

  • "*Overlaying* colors to create a vibrant composition" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*overlaying* colors to create a vibrant composition).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a talent for overlaying images seamlessly.

  He has a talent for overlaying images seamlessly.

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

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

• decide
• choose
• plan
• refuse
• attempt

Example

They decided to overlay the image with patterns.

We chose to overlay the text in a bold font.

He plans to overlay multiple images to create a collage.

She refused to overlay the video with any effects.

I attempted to overlay the graphic onto the background.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• recommend
• avoid
• consider
• imagine
• resist

Example

They recommend overlaying a gradient on the background.

She avoids overlaying text over important elements.

I am considering overlaying a watermark on the image.

Can you imagine overlaying different patterns on the fabric?

He resisted overlaying the image with too many filters.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to overlay graphics on photographs. They like overlaying graphics on photographs.

We started to overlay the video with special effects. We started overlaying the video with special effects.

He began to overlay the text with different fonts. He began overlaying the text with different fonts.