When and How to Use Each Expression?
Get a sense of when and how each expression can be used through the following examples!To overshadow (Infinitive)
Purpose or Intention: Use the infinitive "to overshadow" when you want to express a purpose, intention, desire, or potential action
Example
I don't want my mistakes to overshadow my accomplishments.
Overshadowing (Gerund)
Activity or Experience: Use the gerund "overshadowing" when you want to refer to the activity itself or the experience as a noun.
Example
Overshadowing others is not a healthy way to gain recognition.
Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?
To overshadow (Infinitive)
- 1Subject
To overshadow is a common fear among artists.
To overshadow is a common fear among artists.
- "*To overshadow*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
- Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common fear among artists).
- 2Object
She expects her success to overshadow her rival's achievements.
She expects her success to overshadow her rival's achievements.
- "Her success *to overshadow* her rival's achievements" is the object of the verb "expects."
- Noun (She) + verb (expects) + noun phrase (her success *to overshadow* her rival's achievements).
- 3Adjective Modifier
They need a strong performance to overshadow their previous failures.
They need a strong performance to overshadow their previous failures.
- "*To overshadow* their previous failures" modifies the noun "performance."
- Noun (They) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a strong performance *to overshadow* their previous failures).
Overshadowing (Gerund)
- 1Subject
Overshadowing can lead to strained relationships.
Overshadowing can lead to strained relationships.
- "*Overshadowing*" is the subject of the sentence.
- Gerund (subject) + verb (can lead to) + noun phrase (strained relationships).
- 2Object
He enjoys overshadowing his competitors in every competition.
He enjoys overshadowing his competitors in every competition.
- "*Overshadowing* his competitors in every competition" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
- Noun (He) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*overshadowing* his competitors in every competition).
- 3Object of Preposition
She has a reputation for overshadowing her colleagues.
She has a reputation for overshadowing her colleagues.
- "For *overshadowing* her colleagues" is the object of the preposition "for."
- Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a reputation for *overshadowing* her colleagues).
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
He plans to overshadow his competition in the upcoming tournament.
She refused to overshadow her teammates' achievements with her own success.
We want our hard work to overshadow any doubts or criticisms.
They chose to overshadow their opponents with their impressive skills.
He learned to overshadow his weaknesses by focusing on his strengths.
Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects
Example
They avoid overshadowing their teammates' contributions in group projects.
He is considering overshadowing his opponent with his exceptional skills.
Experts recommend avoiding overshadowing others to maintain healthy relationships.
She delayed overshadowing her peers until they had a chance to shine.
He denied overshadowing his colleagues' achievements during the presentation.
Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects
Example
She likes to overshadow her competitors with her talent. She likes overshadowing her competitors with her talent.
We began to overshadow our opponents with our remarkable performance. We began overshadowing our opponents with our remarkable performance.
He continues to overshadow his rivals in every match. He continues overshadowing his rivals in every match.
