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 want to ask a question during the meeting.

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 the best way to get information.

  To ask is the best way to get information.

  • "*To ask*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (the best way to get information).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to ask the teacher for help.

  She wants me to ask the teacher for help.

  • "Me *to ask* the teacher for help" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to ask* the teacher for help).
• 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 feedback is important for personal growth.

  Asking for feedback is important for personal growth.

  • "*Asking* for feedback" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (important for personal growth).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy asking questions in class.

  I enjoy asking questions in class.

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

• decide
• offer
• plan
• hope
• choose

Example

We decided to ask for permission before entering.

They offered to ask the expert for advice.

She plans to ask for a raise at work.

He hopes to ask her out on a date.

They chose to ask for directions.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• consider
• mind
• suggest

Example

He avoids asking for assistance whenever possible.

They recommend asking for clarification if you don't understand.

I am considering asking for a promotion at work.

Do you mind asking him for his opinion?

She suggests asking for a refund.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

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

We started to ask for feedback regularly. We started asking for feedback regularly.

She began to ask for advice from experienced professionals. She began asking for advice from experienced professionals.