When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To overscore (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to overscore" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I want to overscore the importance of teamwork in this project.
Overscoring (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "overscoring" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Overscoring emphasizes the importance of each element in the design.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To overscore (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To overscore is a common practice in academic writing.
To overscore is a common practice in academic writing.
- "*To overscore*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common practice in academic writing).
- 2Object
She wants me to overscore the key points in the presentation.
She wants me to overscore the key points in the presentation.
- "Me *to overscore* the key points in the presentation" is the object of the verb "wants."
- Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to overscore* the key points in the presentation).
- 3Adjective Modifier
I need a highlighter to overscore important information.
I need a highlighter to overscore important information.
- "*To overscore* important information" modifies the noun "highlighter."
- Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a highlighter *to overscore* important information).
Overscoring (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Overscoring is a useful technique in graphic design.
Overscoring is a useful technique in graphic design.
- "*Overscoring*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a useful technique in graphic design).
- 2Object
I enjoy overscoring the headings in the document.
I enjoy overscoring the headings in the document.
- "*Overscoring* the headings in the document" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
- Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*overscoring* the headings in the document).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a talent for overscoring important details.
She has a talent for overscoring important details.
- "For *overscoring* important details" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *overscoring* important details).
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
Example
They agreed to overscore the main findings of the study.
We plan to overscore the key takeaways during the presentation.
He wishes to overscore the significance of data analysis.
She decided to overscore the critical points in the report.
They hope to overscore the benefits of collaboration.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They recommend overscoring the key points for better clarity.
He avoids overscoring unnecessary elements in the design.
Can you imagine overscoring the text with different colors?
I don't mind overscoring the headings in bold.
We are considering overscoring the main ideas in red.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to overscore important information in her notes. She likes overscoring key points in her presentations.
We started to overscore the critical elements in the design. We started overscoring the main features of the product.
He began to overscore the essential details in the report. He began overscoring the significant findings in his research.