To Overwear vs Overwearing 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 overwear (Infinitive)

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

Example

I don't want to overwear my favorite shirt.

Overwearing (Gerund)

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

Example

Overwearing can cause damage to your clothes.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To overwear (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To overwear clothes is a common mistake.

  To overwear clothes is a common mistake.

  • "*To overwear* clothes" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a common mistake).
• 2. Object

  She told him not to overwear his shoes.

  She told him not to overwear his shoes.

  • "Him *not to overwear* his shoes" is the object of the verb "told."
  • Noun (She) + verb (told) + noun phrase (him *not to overwear* his shoes).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need new shoes to overwear every day.

  I need new shoes to overwear every day.

  • "*To overwear* every day" modifies the noun "shoes."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (new shoes *to overwear* every day).

Overwearing (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Overwearing is not recommended for delicate fabrics.

  Overwearing is not recommended for delicate fabrics.

  • "*Overwearing*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (not recommended for delicate fabrics).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy overwearing my old jeans.

  I enjoy overwearing my old jeans.

  • "*Overwearing* my old jeans" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*overwearing* my old jeans).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a habit of overwearing her shoes.

  She has a habit of overwearing her shoes.

  • "Of *overwearing* her shoes" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a habit of *overwearing* her shoes).

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
• struggle
• demand
• wish

Example

He refused to overwear the uncomfortable shoes.

She attempted to overwear her jacket in cold weather.

They struggle to overwear their uniforms for the entire day.

The coach demanded them to overwear their team jerseys.

I wish to overwear my favorite dress on special occasions.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• mind
• consider
• postpone

Example

He avoids overwearing his formal attire to casual events.

They recommend avoiding overwearing accessories for a more minimalist look.

Do you mind overwearing your favorite sweater? It's getting chilly.

We are considering overwearing our winter coats for another season.

She postponed overwearing her new dress until the special occasion.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to overwear her jewelry to make a statement. She likes overwearing her jewelry to make a statement.

We started to overwear our sneakers for a trendy look. We started overwearing our sneakers for a trendy look.

He began to overwear his favorite hat everywhere he went. He began overwearing his favorite hat everywhere he went.