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 want to overlook the city from a rooftop.

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 lake, I felt a sense of tranquility.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To overlook (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To overlook is a great way to appreciate the beauty of nature.

  To overlook is a great way to appreciate the beauty of nature.

  • "*To overlook*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a great way to appreciate the beauty of nature).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to overlook the details of the project.

  She wants me to overlook the details of the project.

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

  I need a balcony to overlook the garden.

  I need a balcony to overlook the garden.

  • "*To overlook* the garden" modifies the noun "balcony."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a balcony *to overlook* the garden).

Overlooking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Overlooking is a common feature of luxury hotels.

  Overlooking is a common feature of luxury hotels.

  • "*Overlooking*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common feature of luxury hotels).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy overlooking the city lights at night.

  I enjoy overlooking the city lights at night.

  • "*Overlooking* the city lights at night" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*overlooking* the city lights at night).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a preference for overlooking the mountains.

  She has a preference for overlooking the mountains.

  • "For *overlooking* the mountains" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a preference for *overlooking* the mountains).

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 overlook the sunset from the hilltop tomorrow.

They hope to overlook the ocean during their vacation.

He wants to overlook the city skyline.

We decided to overlook the valley from the lookout point.

They agreed to overlook the river together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys overlooking the beach from her balcony every morning.

They recommend overlooking the garden for a peaceful experience.

I dislike the idea of overlooking busy streets.

He avoids overlooking crowded places.

Can you imagine yourself overlooking a beautiful landscape?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

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

We started to overlook the park from our new apartment. We started overlooking the park from our new apartment.

He began to overlook the cityscape every evening. He began overlooking the cityscape every evening.