2. Verbs with ‘to’-infinitive
Clauses
Some verbs are followed by a ‘to’-infinitive
clause. The subject of the verb is also the
subject of the ‘to’-infinitive clause. These
verbs include:
3. Verbs with ‘to’-infinitive
Clauses
• verbs of saying and thinking
agree decide hope
learn offer promise
choose expect intend
mean plan refuse
4. Verbs with ‘to’-infinitive
Clauses
She had agreed to let us use her flat.
I decided not to go out for the evening.
5. Verbs with ‘to’-infinitive
Clauses
• other verbs
fail manage pretend
tend want
England failed to win a place in the finals.
6. Verbs with ‘to’-infinitive
Clauses
Some verbs are followed by an object and a
‘to’-infinitive clause. The object of the verb is
the subject of the ‘to’-infinitive clause.
7. Verbs with ‘to’-infinitive
Clauses
• verbs of saying and thinking
advise encourage invite
persuade teach ask
expect order remind
tell
9. Verbs with ‘to’-infinitive
Clauses
• other verbs
allow force get
help want
I could get someone else to do it.
I didn’ t want him to go.
10. Verbs with ‘to’-infinitive
Clauses
Note: ‘help’ can also be followed by an object
and a base form.
I helped him fix it.
WARNING: You do not use ‘want’ with a
‘that’-clause. You do not say ‘I want that you
do something’.
11. Verbs with ‘to’-infinitive
Clauses
Some verbs are followed by ‘for’ and an
object, then a ‘to’-infinitive clause. The object
of ‘for’ is the subject of the ‘to’-infinitive
clause.
appeal arrange ask
long pay wait
wish
12. Verbs with ‘to’-infinitive
Clauses
Could you arrange for a taxi to collect us?
I waited for him to speak.
13. Verbs with ‘to’-infinitive
Clauses
Some link verbs, and ‘pretend’, are followed
by ‘to be’ and and an ‘-ing’ form for continuing
actions, and by ‘to have’ and a past participle
for finished actions.
We pretended to be looking inside.
I don’ t appear to have written down his
name.
14. Verbs with ‘to’-infinitive
Clauses
Some verbs are normally used in the passive
when they are followed by a ‘to’-infinitive
clause.
believe feel know
say understand consider
find report think
15. Verbs with ‘to’-infinitive
Clauses
He is said to have died a natural death.
Is it thought to be a good thing?
16. Verbs with ‘to’-infinitive
Clauses
Some verbs are followed by a ‘wh’-word and
a ‘to’-infinitive clause. These include:
ask explain learn
understand decide forget
know remember wonder
17. Verbs with ‘to’-infinitive
Clauses
I didn’ t know what to call him.
She had forgotten how to ride a bicycle.
18. Verbs with ‘to’-infinitive
Clauses
Some verbs are followed by an object, then a
‘wh’-word and a ‘to’-infinitive clause.
ask remind show
teach tell
I asked him what to do.
Who will show him how to do it?
19. Verbs with ‘to’-infinitive
Clauses
Some verbs only take ‘to’-infinitive clauses to
express purpose.
The captain stopped to reload the gun.
He went to get some fresh milk.