To Overscore vs Overscoring 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 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 my performance to impress the judges.

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 can lead to biased judging.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To overscore (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To overscore is not a fair judging practice.

  To overscore is not a fair judging practice.

  • "*To overscore*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not a fair judging practice).
• 2. Object

  They asked me to overscore their dance routine.

  They asked me to overscore their dance routine.

  • "Me *to overscore* their dance routine" is the object of the verb "asked."
  • Noun (They) + verb (asked) + noun phrase (me *to overscore* their dance routine).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  She needs a higher score to overscore her previous performance.

  She needs a higher score to overscore her previous performance.

  • "*To overscore* her previous performance" modifies the noun "score."
  • Noun (She) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a higher score *to overscore* her previous performance).

Overscoring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Overscoring is a controversial issue in competitive sports.

  Overscoring is a controversial issue in competitive sports.

  • "*Overscoring*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a controversial issue in competitive sports).
• 2. Object

  He enjoys overscoring in gymnastics competitions.

  He enjoys overscoring in gymnastics competitions.

  • "*Overscoring* in gymnastics competitions" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*overscoring* in gymnastics competitions).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They discussed the implications of overscoring.

  They discussed the implications of overscoring.

  • "Of *overscoring*" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (discussed) + noun phrase (the implications of *overscoring*).

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

He plans to overscore his opponents in the upcoming competition.

I hope to overscore in the final round of the tournament.

We want to overscore our rivals to secure the championship.

They decided to overscore their routine for a more dramatic effect.

She agreed to overscore the performance to emphasize its uniqueness.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys overscoring in figure skating events.

Experts recommend avoiding overscoring to maintain fairness in judging.

I dislike the practice of overscoring in artistic performances.

He avoids overscoring to ensure unbiased evaluations.

Can you imagine the consequences of overscoring in a beauty pageant?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

They like to overscore their routines to impress the audience. They like overscoring their routines to impress the audience.

She started to overscore her performances after receiving positive feedback. She started overscoring her performances after receiving positive feedback.

He began to overscore his competitors to gain a competitive advantage. He began overscoring his competitors to gain a competitive advantage.