To Inquire vs Inquiring 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 inquire (Infinitive)

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

Example

I plan to inquire about the available job opportunities.

Inquiring (Gerund)

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

Example

Inquiring about the issue is necessary to find a solution.

Where can infinitives/gerunds be placed in a sentence?

To inquire (Infinitive)

• 1. Subject

  To inquire is a good way to gather information.

  To inquire is a good way to gather information.

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

  She wants me to inquire about the prices.

  She wants me to inquire about the prices.

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

  I need a phone to inquire about the schedule.

  I need a phone to inquire about the schedule.

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

Inquiring (Gerund)

• 1. Subject

  Inquiring is a fundamental part of the learning process.

  Inquiring is a fundamental part of the learning process.

  • "*Inquiring*" is the subject of the sentence.
  • Gerund (subject) + verb (is) + noun phrase (a fundamental part of the learning process).
• 2. Object

  I enjoy inquiring about different cultures.

  I enjoy inquiring about different cultures.

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

  She has a talent for inquiring into complex matters.

  She has a talent for inquiring into complex matters.

  • "For *inquiring* into complex matters" is the object of the preposition "for."
  • Noun phrase (She) + verb (has) + noun phrase (a talent for *inquiring* into complex matters).

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
• manage
• wish

Example

They hope to inquire about the details of the event.

He wants to inquire about the cost of the product.

We decided to inquire about the availability of tickets.

She managed to inquire about the opening hours.

I wish to inquire about the payment options.

Verbs Taking Gerunds as Objects

• avoid
• consider
• recommend
• postpone
• imagine

Example

He avoids inquiring about personal matters.

They consider inquiring about the company's policies.

I recommend inquiring about the available discounts.

She postponed inquiring about the meeting agenda.

Can you imagine yourself inquiring about the mysteries of the universe?

Verbs Taking Both Infinitives and Gerunds as Objects

• like
• start
• begin

Example

I would like to inquire about the upcoming events. I would like inquiring about the upcoming events.

They started to inquire about the project requirements. They started inquiring about the project requirements.

He began to inquire about the application process. He began inquiring about the application process.