To Overlook vs Overlooking 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 overlook (Infinitive)

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

Example

I refuse to overlook any details in this project.

Overlooking (Gerund)

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

Example

Overlooking the cityscape from the rooftop bar is breathtaking.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To overlook (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To overlook is a common mistake in proofreading.

  To overlook is a common mistake in proofreading.

  • "*To overlook*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common mistake in proofreading).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to overlook the report before submitting it.

  She wants me to overlook the report before submitting it.

  • "Me *to overlook* the report before submitting it" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to overlook* the report before submitting it).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a magnifying glass to overlook the tiny details.

  He needs a magnifying glass to overlook the tiny details.

  • "*To overlook* the tiny details" modifies the noun "magnifying glass."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a magnifying glass *to overlook* the tiny details).

Overlooking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Overlooking the ocean brings a sense of calmness.

  Overlooking the ocean brings a sense of calmness.

  • "*Overlooking* the ocean" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (brings) + noun phrase (a sense of calmness).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy overlooking the mountains from my window.

  I enjoy overlooking the mountains from my window.

  • "*Overlooking* the mountains from my window" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*overlooking* the mountains from my window).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a fear of heights, so overlooking tall buildings is a challenge for him.

  He has a fear of heights, so overlooking tall buildings is a challenge for him.

  • "*Overlooking* tall buildings" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of heights, so *overlooking* tall buildings).

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

We plan to overlook the city from the top of the mountain.

They hope to overlook the beautiful sunset from their balcony.

She wants to overlook the ocean from her hotel room.

He decided to overlook the negative comments and focus on the positive ones.

They agreed to overlook the mistakes and work together to fix them.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys overlooking the sunset at the beach every evening.

They recommend overlooking the city lights from the observation deck.

I dislike overlooking crowded streets during rush hour.

He avoids overlooking the construction site for safety reasons.

Can you imagine yourself overlooking a beautiful valley?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to overlook the river from the bridge. She likes overlooking the river from the bridge.

We started to overlook potential risks in our project. We started overlooking potential risks in our project.

He began to overlook the team's progress closely. He began overlooking the team's progress closely.