To Overthink vs Overthinking 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 overthink (Infinitive)

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

Example

I tend to overthink every decision I make.

Overthinking (Gerund)

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

Example

Overthinking can lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To overthink (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To overthink is a common habit among perfectionists.

  To overthink is a common habit among perfectionists.

  • "*To overthink*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common habit among perfectionists).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to overthink the situation.

  She wants me to overthink the situation.

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

  I need a clear mind to overthink things less.

  I need a clear mind to overthink things less.

  • "*To overthink* things less" modifies the noun "mind."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a clear mind *to overthink* things less).

Overthinking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Overthinking is a common behavior in people with anxiety disorders.

  Overthinking is a common behavior in people with anxiety disorders.

  • "*Overthinking*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common behavior in people with anxiety disorders).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy overthinking different scenarios in my mind.

  I enjoy overthinking different scenarios in my mind.

  • "*Overthinking* different scenarios in my mind" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*overthinking* different scenarios in my mind).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a tendency for overthinking everything.

  She has a tendency for overthinking everything.

  • "For *overthinking* everything" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a tendency for *overthinking* everything).

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
• struggle
• manage
• wish
• refuse

Example

He decided to overthink the problem for hours.

They struggle to overthink every little detail.

She managed to overthink the situation and made it worse.

I wish to overthink less and trust my instincts more.

They refused to overthink their options and took a leap of faith.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• discuss

Example

He avoids overthinking by practicing mindfulness.

They consider overthinking as a hindrance to productivity.

I recommend seeking therapy for excessive overthinking.

Do you mind overthinking every little detail?

Let's discuss the negative effects of overthinking.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I like to overthink things before making a decision. I like overthinking different possibilities.

She started to overthink after experiencing a failure. She started overthinking when faced with challenges.

We began to overthink the situation and couldn't find a solution. We began overthinking every aspect of the problem.