To Indagate vs Indagating 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 indagate (Infinitive)

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

Example

I want to indagate the matter to find the truth.

Indagating (Gerund)

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

Example

Indagating requires patience and attention to detail.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To indagate (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To indagate is essential for a thorough investigation.

  To indagate is essential for a thorough investigation.

  • "*To indagate*" serves as the subject of the sentence.
  • Infinitive phrase (subject) + verb (is) + adjective phrase (essential for a thorough investigation).
• 2. Object

  She wants me to indagate the case.

  She wants me to indagate the case.

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

  We need more resources to indagate the issue.

  We need more resources to indagate the issue.

  • "*To indagate* the issue" modifies the noun "resources."
  • Noun (We) + verb (need) + noun phrase (more resources *to indagate* the issue).

Indagating (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Indagating is a crucial step in the research process.

  Indagating is a crucial step in the research process.

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

  I enjoy indagating complex problems.

  I enjoy indagating complex problems.

  • "*Indagating* complex problems" is the object of the verb "enjoy."
  • Noun (I) + verb (enjoy) + gerund (*indagating* complex problems).
• 3. Object of Preposition

  She has a talent for indagating difficult cases.

  She has a talent for indagating difficult cases.

  • "For *indagating* difficult cases" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *indagating* difficult cases).

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
• decide
• attempt
• determine
• wish

Example

They plan to indagate the matter thoroughly.

He decided to indagate the incident further.

We attempted to indagate the mystery but couldn't find any clues.

She determined to indagate the problem until she finds a solution.

I wish to indagate the matter with more time and resources.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• recommend
• imagine
• consider
• practice

Example

He avoids indagating controversial topics.

They recommend regular indagating for better decision-making.

Can you imagine yourself indagating unsolved mysteries?

I am considering indagating the issue from different angles.

She practices indagating by solving puzzles and riddles.

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• begin
• continue

Example

I like to indagate various subjects. I like indagating various subjects.

We began to indagate the case yesterday. We began indagating the case yesterday.

He will continue to indagate until he finds the truth. He will continue indagating until he finds the truth.