To Overlive vs Overliving 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 overlive (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to overlive in fear and instead choose to embrace life.

Overliving (Gerund)

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

Example

Overliving can lead to a burnout and exhaustion.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To overlive (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To overlive is to continue living despite difficult circumstances.

  To overlive is to continue living despite difficult circumstances.

  • "*To overlive*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (to continue living despite difficult circumstances).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to overlive my fears and pursue my dreams.

  She wants me to overlive my fears and pursue my dreams.

  • "Me *to overlive* my fears and pursue my dreams" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to overlive* my fears and pursue my dreams).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a strong willpower to overlive the challenges that come my way.

  I need a strong willpower to overlive the challenges that come my way.

  • "*To overlive* the challenges that come my way" modifies the noun "willpower."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong willpower *to overlive* the challenges that come my way).

Overliving (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Overliving is not the same as truly living.

  Overliving is not the same as truly living.

  • "*Overliving*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not the same as truly living).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy overliving each moment to the fullest.

  I enjoy overliving each moment to the fullest.

  • "*Overliving* each moment to the fullest" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*overliving* each moment to the fullest).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of overliving her means.

  She has a habit of overliving her means.

  • "Of *overliving* her means" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *overliving* her means).

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
• hope
• want
• attempt
• choose

Example

We decided to overlive our past mistakes and move forward.

They hope to overlive their current financial struggles.

He wants to overlive the pain of heartbreak and find love again.

I attempted to overlive the trauma through therapy.

She chooses to overlive the loss of her loved one by cherishing their memory.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• mind
• imagine
• recommend

Example

He avoids overliving by practicing work-life balance.

They consider overliving as a sign of an unhealthy lifestyle.

I don't mind overliving occasionally for special occasions.

Can you imagine overliving without any regrets?

Doctors recommend against overliving to prevent stress-related illnesses.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

She likes to overlive in the present moment. She likes overliving each day to the fullest.

We began to overlive after realizing the fragility of life. We began overliving when we started appreciating every moment.

He continues to overlive despite the challenges he faces. He continues overliving by finding joy in the little things.