To Overturn vs Overturning 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 overturn (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to overturn the decision made by the committee.

Overturning (Gerund)

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

Example

Overturning the ruling is a complex process.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To overturn (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To overturn is our main goal in this campaign.

  To overturn is our main goal in this campaign.

  • "*To overturn*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (our main goal in this campaign).
• 2. Object

  They want us to overturn the ruling.

  They want us to overturn the ruling.

  • "Us *to overturn* the ruling" is the object of the verb "want."
  • Noun (They) + verb (want) + noun phrase (us *to overturn* the ruling).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  He needs a strong argument to overturn the verdict.

  He needs a strong argument to overturn the verdict.

  • "*To overturn* the verdict" modifies the noun "argument."
  • Noun (He) + verb (needs) + noun phrase (a strong argument *to overturn* the verdict).

Overturning (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Overturning the decision requires a strong legal argument.

  Overturning the decision requires a strong legal argument.

  • "*Overturning* the decision" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (a strong legal argument).
• 2. Object

  She enjoys overturning unjust laws.

  She enjoys overturning unjust laws.

  • "*Overturning* unjust laws" is the object of the verb "enjoys."
  • Noun (She) + verb (enjoys) + gerund (*overturning* unjust laws).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  They are considering the possibility of overturning the ruling.

  They are considering the possibility of overturning the ruling.

  • "The possibility of *overturning* the ruling" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (They) + verb (are considering) + noun phrase (the possibility of *overturning* the ruling).

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
• demand
• refuse
• choose
• hope

Example

She plans to overturn the decision next week.

We demand the court to overturn the ruling.

He refused to overturn the decision made by his predecessor.

They chose to overturn the law in order to protect their rights.

I hope to overturn the decision through legal means.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• imagine

Example

He avoids overturning decisions without proper evidence.

I recommend seeking legal advice before overturning the ruling.

They are considering overturning the decision based on new evidence.

Do you mind overturning the previous ruling?

Can you imagine overturning the entire legal system?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She would like to overturn the ruling. She would like overturning the ruling.

We started to overturn unjust laws. We started overturning unjust laws.

He began to overturn the decision made by the jury. He began overturning the decision made by the jury.