To Ask vs Asking 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 ask (Infinitive)

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

Example

I asked him to help me with the project.

Asking (Gerund)

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

Example

Asking for help is a sign of strength.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To ask (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To ask is a basic communication skill.

  To ask is a basic communication skill.

  • "*To ask*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a basic communication skill).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to ask the teacher for an extension.

  She wants me to ask the teacher for an extension.

  • "Me *to ask* the teacher for an extension" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to ask* the teacher for an extension).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a pen to ask for autographs.

  I need a pen to ask for autographs.

  • "*To ask* for autographs" modifies the noun "pen."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a pen *to ask* for autographs).

Asking (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Asking for advice is always a good idea.

  Asking for advice is always a good idea.

  • "*Asking* for advice" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (always a good idea).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy asking questions during class.

  I enjoy asking questions during class.

  • "*Asking* questions during class" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*asking* questions during class).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a fear of asking for help.

  She has a fear of asking for help.

  • "Of *asking* for help" is the object of the preposition "of."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a fear of *asking* for help).

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

• hope
• want
• decide
• offer
• pretend

Example

They hope to ask the professor for clarification.

He wants to ask her out on a date.

We decided to ask our boss for a raise.

The company offered to ask for feedback from customers.

She pretended to ask for directions to the restroom.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• postpone
• deny

Example

He avoids asking for assistance.

They are considering asking for a promotion.

I recommend asking for permission before using someone's property.

We postponed asking for a refund until next week.

The company denied asking for government funding.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to ask thought-provoking questions. She likes asking thought-provoking questions.

We started to ask for donations. We started asking for donations.

He began to ask for advice from experts. He began asking for advice from experts.