To Overtrust vs Overtrusting 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 overtrust (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to overtrust anyone in this situation.

Overtrusting (Gerund)

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

Example

Overtrusting others can lead to disappointment.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To overtrust (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To overtrust is a risky behavior.

  To overtrust is a risky behavior.

  • "*To overtrust*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a risky behavior).
• 2. Object

  She expects me to overtrust her decision.

  She expects me to overtrust her decision.

  • "Me *to overtrust* her decision" is the object of the verb "expects."
  • Noun (She) + verb (expects) + noun phrase (me *to overtrust* her decision).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a reason to overtrust someone.

  He needs a reason to overtrust someone.

  • "*To overtrust* someone" modifies the noun "reason."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a reason *to overtrust* someone).

Overtrusting (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Overtrusting is a sign of naivety.

  Overtrusting is a sign of naivety.

  • "*Overtrusting*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a sign of naivety).
• 2. Object

  She regrets overtrusting her business partner.

  She regrets overtrusting her business partner.

  • "*Overtrusting* her business partner" is the object of the verb "regrets."
  • Noun (She) + verb (regrets) + gerund (*overtrusting* her business partner).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  He has a habit of overtrusting others.

  He has a habit of overtrusting others.

  • "Of *overtrusting* others" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (He) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *overtrusting* others).

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

• refuse
• attempt
• demand
• struggle
• wish

Example

They refuse to overtrust their employees with confidential information.

He attempted to overtrust his instincts, but it backfired.

The manager demanded to overtrust his team's capabilities.

She struggled to overtrust her intuition and follow logic instead.

I wish to overtrust my gut feeling, but I can't always rely on it.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• mind
• imagine

Example

They avoid overtrusting strangers they meet online.

She considers overtrusting as a sign of vulnerability.

Experts recommend not overtrusting financial advisors without proper research.

Do you mind overtrusting others with your personal information?

It's hard to imagine overtrusting someone after being betrayed.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

He doesn't like to overtrust people easily. He doesn't like overtrusting people easily.

She began to overtrust her instincts more often. She began overtrusting her instincts more often.

They will continue to overtrust their own judgment. They will continue overtrusting their own judgment.