To Overorder vs Overordering 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 overorder (Infinitive)

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

Example

I tend to overorder when I eat out.

Overordering (Gerund)

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

Example

Overordering can lead to food waste.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To overorder (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To overorder is a common mistake in restaurants.

  To overorder is a common mistake in restaurants.

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

  She wants me to overorder for the party.

  She wants me to overorder for the party.

  • "Me *to overorder* for the party" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to overorder* for the party).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a bigger table to overorder food.

  I need a bigger table to overorder food.

  • "*To overorder* food" modifies the noun "table."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a bigger table *to overorder* food).

Overordering (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Overordering is a bad habit that should be avoided.

  Overordering is a bad habit that should be avoided.

  • "*Overordering*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a bad habit that should be avoided).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy overordering when I go to buffets.

  I enjoy overordering when I go to buffets.

  • "*Overordering* when I go to buffets" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*overordering* when I go to buffets).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a problem with overordering at restaurants.

  He has a problem with overordering at restaurants.

  • "With *overordering* at restaurants" is the object of the preposition "with."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a problem with *overordering* at restaurants).

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
• want
• attempt
• manage
• refuse

Example

We decided to overorder from the menu to try new dishes.

He wants to overorder desserts for everyone.

They attempted to overorder drinks at the bar.

She managed to overorder without appearing greedy.

I refuse to overorder when dining with friends.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• resist

Example

I always try to avoid overordering at restaurants.

They are considering overordering for the party to make sure there's enough food.

Experts recommend not overordering to reduce food waste.

Do you mind overordering if I join you for dinner?

She couldn't resist overordering from the menu.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to overorder when she's feeling hungry. She likes overordering when she's feeling hungry.

We started to overorder after trying a new restaurant. We started overordering after trying a new restaurant.

He began to overorder when he started his diet. He began overordering when he started his diet.