ENGLISH GRAMMAR
INFINITIVE AFTER CERTAIN VERBS
Verbs followed by the infinitive in English,
for example: want to go.
Some verbs are followed by the infinitive (ex :
agree to do ).
These verbs take the pattern: verb + to + infinitive
Here is a list of some of those verbs, but there are many more.
| afford | agree | appear | arrange | ask |
| attempt | beg | begin | can't bear* | can't stand* |
| care | cease | choose | claim | consent |
| continue | decide | demand | deserve | determine |
| endeavour | expect | fail | forget* | happen |
| hasten | hate | hesitate | hope | intend |
| learn | like* | love | manage | mean |
| need | neglect | offer | plan | prepare |
| prefer | pretend | proceed | promise | propose |
| refuse | regret* | remember* | start* | stop* |
| struggle | seem | strive | swear | tend |
| threaten | try* | undertake | vow | wait |
| want | wish | would like | volunteer | yearn |
* These verbs can be followed by both the infinitive and the gerund. More here
Some verbs are followed by a noun (or pronoun) and the infinitive with 'to'.They take the pattern: verb + noun + infinitive
- She asked Charlie to write to his grandmother.
- He advised her to go to the doctor.
- She didn't dare (to) ask for permission to leave early.
Some verbs are followed by the infinitive without 'to'. See bare infinitives.
See also:
-Gerund vs Infinitive
-When can we use both?