To Ascertain vs Ascertaining 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 ascertain (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to ascertain the truth before making a decision.

Ascertaining (Gerund)

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

Example

Ascertaining the facts is crucial for making an informed decision.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To ascertain (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To ascertain the cause of the problem is our top priority.

  To ascertain the cause of the problem is our top priority.

  • "*To ascertain* the cause of the problem" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (our top priority).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to ascertain the facts for her.

  She wants me to ascertain the facts for her.

  • "Me *to ascertain* the facts for her" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to ascertain* the facts for her).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a reliable source to ascertain the information.

  I need a reliable source to ascertain the information.

  • "*To ascertain* the information" modifies the noun "source."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a reliable source *to ascertain* the information).

Ascertaining (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Ascertaining the truth requires thorough research.

  Ascertaining the truth requires thorough research.

  • "*Ascertaining* the truth" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (requires) + noun phrase (thorough research).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy ascertaining the details of a case.

  I enjoy ascertaining the details of a case.

  • "*Ascertaining* the details of a case" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*ascertaining* the details of a case).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a knack for ascertaining people's true intentions.

  She has a knack for ascertaining people's true intentions.

  • "For *ascertaining* people's true intentions" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a knack for *ascertaining* people's true intentions).

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
• hope
• want
• attempt
• choose

Example

We decided to ascertain the truth through further investigation.

They hope to ascertain the cause of the issue soon.

He wants to ascertain the accuracy of the data.

We attempted to ascertain the impact of the policy.

She chose to ascertain the validity of the claims.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• delay
• deny

Example

He avoids ascertaining the facts without proper evidence.

They recommend ascertaining all the necessary information before making a decision.

I am considering ascertaining the potential risks involved.

We decided to delay ascertaining the outcome until more data is available.

She denied ascertaining any wrongdoing in the situation.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to ascertain the truth through careful examination. She likes ascertaining the truth through careful examination.

We started to ascertain the facts to uncover the truth. We started ascertaining the facts to uncover the truth.

He began to ascertain the accuracy of the information. He began ascertaining the accuracy of the information.