To Enquire vs Enquiring 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 enquire (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to enquire about the availability of the product.

Enquiring (Gerund)

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

Example

Enquiring about the details is necessary before making a decision.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To enquire (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To enquire is the best way to gather information.

  To enquire is the best way to gather information.

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

  She wants me to enquire about the cost.

  She wants me to enquire about the cost.

  • "Me *to enquire* about the cost" is the object of the verb "wants."
  • Noun (She) + verb (wants) + noun phrase (me *to enquire* about the cost).
• 3. Adjective Modifier

  I need a phone to enquire about the job vacancies.

  I need a phone to enquire about the job vacancies.

  • "*To enquire* about the job vacancies" modifies the noun "phone."
  • Noun (I) + verb (need) + noun phrase (a phone *to enquire* about the job vacancies).

Enquiring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Enquiring is a crucial step in the research process.

  Enquiring is a crucial step in the research process.

  • "*Enquiring*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a crucial step in the research process).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy enquiring about different cultures.

  I enjoy enquiring about different cultures.

  • "*Enquiring* about different cultures" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*enquiring* about different cultures).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a passion for enquiring about historical events.

  She has a passion for enquiring about historical events.

  • "For *enquiring* about historical events" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a passion for *enquiring* about historical events).

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
• hope
• want
• decide
• agree

Example

He plans to enquire about the travel packages tomorrow.

They hope to enquire about the schedule for the event.

She wants to enquire about the refund policy.

We decided to enquire about the available options.

They agreed to enquire about the delivery time.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• enjoy
• recommend
• dislike
• avoid
• imagine

Example

He enjoys enquiring about new technologies.

They recommend regular enquiring for personal growth.

I dislike the idea of enquiring about irrelevant topics.

She avoids enquiring about controversial issues.

Can you imagine yourself enquiring about ancient civilizations?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

She likes to enquire about the latest trends. She likes enquiring about the latest trends.

We started to enquire about the project requirements. We started enquiring about the project requirements.

He began to enquire about the course details. He began enquiring about the course details.