To Overtake vs Overtaking 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 overtake (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to overtake the car in front of me.

Overtaking (Gerund)

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

Example

Overtaking can be dangerous if not done properly.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To overtake (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To overtake is a risky maneuver on the highway.

  To overtake is a risky maneuver on the highway.

  • "*To overtake*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (a risky maneuver on the highway).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to overtake the leading runner.

  She wants me to overtake the leading runner.

  • "Me *to overtake* the leading runner" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to overtake* the leading runner).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a faster car to overtake my competitors.

  I need a faster car to overtake my competitors.

  • "*To overtake* my competitors" modifies the noun "car."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a faster car *to overtake* my competitors).

Overtaking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Overtaking requires good judgment and timing.

  Overtaking requires good judgment and timing.

  • "*Overtaking*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (good judgment and timing).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy overtaking other cars on the highway.

  I enjoy overtaking other cars on the highway.

  • "*Overtaking* other cars on the highway" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*overtaking* other cars on the highway).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a knack for overtaking vehicles in traffic.

  He has a knack for overtaking vehicles in traffic.

  • "For *overtaking* vehicles in traffic" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *overtaking* vehicles in traffic).

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 overtake the cyclist ahead.

They hope to overtake the leading team in the championship.

She wants to overtake the other drivers in the race.

We decided to overtake the slow-moving vehicle.

They agreed to overtake the truck together.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

She enjoys overtaking motorcycles on the racetrack.

They recommend practicing overtaking techniques for safe driving.

I dislike the idea of overtaking on narrow roads.

He avoids overtaking in heavy traffic situations.

Can you imagine yourself overtaking a speeding car?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

He likes to overtake slower vehicles on the highway. He likes overtaking slower vehicles on the highway.

We started to overtake competitors in the race. We started overtaking competitors in the race.

She began to overtake cyclists during her training sessions. She began overtaking cyclists during her training sessions.