Verbs that are followed by an infinitive form of another verb are a fundamental aspect of English grammar. Mastering these constructions is key to expressing a wide range of ideas with precision and nuance. This guide will explore common verbs that take infinitives, providing clear examples and practical advice for their effective use.
Understanding how infinitives function after certain verbs unlocks more sophisticated sentence structures. These verbs often express desire, intention, ability, or obligation. By learning these patterns, you can enhance your fluency and accuracy in both written and spoken English.
Understanding the Infinitive Phrase
An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by “to.” For example, “to run,” “to eat,” and “to think” are infinitives. When an infinitive functions as part of a larger phrase, it’s called an infinitive phrase. These phrases can act as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs within a sentence, adding descriptive or functional elements.
Infinitive phrases often provide essential information about the main verb. They can explain the purpose of an action or the object of a desire. Recognizing these phrases is the first step to understanding which verbs commonly precede them.
Verbs Expressing Desire and Intention
Many verbs indicating a wish or plan require an infinitive. These verbs signal what a subject wants to do or plans to accomplish.
Want and Wish
The verb “want” is perhaps the most common example. It directly expresses a desire for something or an action. “I want to travel the world” clearly states a personal aspiration.
Similarly, “wish” conveys a strong desire, often for something less likely or more idealistic. “She wishes to be a doctor someday” expresses a long-held ambition.
These verbs are straightforward in their usage. The subject of “want” or “wish” is typically the same as the implied subject of the infinitive. For instance, in “He wants to learn guitar,” “He” is the one who wants and the one who will learn.
Hope and Plan
The verb “hope” indicates a positive expectation for the future. It suggests a desire for a particular outcome that is considered possible. “We hope to see you at the party” expresses anticipation and a desire for attendance.
When someone “plans” to do something, they are making arrangements or intending to carry out an action. “They plan to renovate their house next year” shows a deliberate intention and a future course of action.
The distinction between “hope” and “plan” lies in the degree of certainty and preparation. Hope is more about a desired outcome, while planning involves concrete steps toward achieving it.
Intend and Aim
“Intend” signifies a firm purpose or resolution to do something. It implies a more committed form of wanting or planning. “I intend to finish this project by Friday” shows a strong commitment to a deadline.
The verb “aim” suggests a specific goal or objective that one is striving to achieve. It often carries a sense of direction and purpose. “The company aims to increase its market share” indicates a strategic business objective.
Both “intend” and “aim” point towards a future action driven by a conscious decision or objective. They are often used in contexts where a clear goal is being pursued.
Decide and Choose
Making a decision involves selecting one option over others. “Decide” is used when a choice has been made. “She decided to accept the job offer” indicates a concluded decision-making process.
Similarly, “choose” implies a selection from multiple possibilities. It focuses on the act of picking one thing or course of action. “He chose to study engineering rather than medicine” highlights a specific selection made.
These verbs are crucial for narrating events where a path was selected. They mark a turning point in a sequence of actions or thoughts.
Agree and Refuse
To “agree” means to give consent or to have the same opinion. When agreement pertains to an action, it is often followed by an infinitive. “The committee agreed to fund the research” shows their approval of the proposal.
Conversely, “refuse” means to decline to do something. It expresses a rejection of a request or proposal. “The child refused to eat his vegetables” highlights a clear act of defiance.
These verbs represent opposing stances regarding an action. One signifies acceptance, while the other denotes rejection.
Promise and Swear
“Promise” is a commitment to do or not do something. It is a declaration of intent that binds the speaker. “He promised to call her every day” indicates a solemn commitment.
To “swear” is to make a solemn promise, often with an appeal to a higher power or a strong personal conviction. It implies an even greater level of seriousness than “promise.” “They swore to protect the innocent” conveys an oath of allegiance.
Both verbs are used to establish trust and accountability. They are powerful tools for conveying commitment and assurance.
Verbs Expressing Ability and Possibility
Certain verbs focus on the capacity or likelihood of an action occurring. These often relate to skills, potential, or circumstances.
Be Able To
The phrase “be able to” is a common way to express ability. It is often used with modal verbs like “will” or “can” (though “can” itself is a modal, not a verb followed by an infinitive in this construction). “She will be able to finish the marathon” suggests future capability.
It can also be used in the past tense. “He was able to solve the complex problem” highlights a past achievement.
This construction is versatile and can be adapted to various tenses and moods to discuss capability.
Manage and Succeed
To “manage” to do something implies achieving it, often with some difficulty or effort. It suggests overcoming obstacles to accomplish a task. “They managed to escape the burning building” emphasizes the challenging nature of their survival.
The verb “succeed” indicates a positive outcome after an attempt. It means to achieve the desired result. “She succeeded in passing her final exam” confirms her successful effort.
Both verbs mark the accomplishment of an action, with “manage” often implying a struggle and “succeed” focusing on the achievement itself.
Fail
The verb “fail” is the opposite of succeed. It signifies not achieving a desired outcome. “He failed to impress the interviewers” indicates a lack of success in a specific context.
It’s important to note that “fail” can also be followed by a noun or a gerund, but when it refers to a specific attempt or action, the infinitive is common. “They failed to meet the deadline” uses the infinitive to specify the unmet objective.
Using “fail” with an infinitive clearly communicates a lack of accomplishment regarding a particular goal or task.
Verbs Expressing Obligation and Necessity
These verbs convey a sense of duty, requirement, or inevitability. They are used when something must or should be done.
Need To
The phrase “need to” expresses a requirement or necessity. It indicates that an action is essential. “You need to study for the test” is a direct statement of necessity.
It can also imply a strong suggestion or a lack of something. “The car needs to be washed” suggests it’s dirty and requires cleaning.
This construction is fundamental for expressing requirements in various situations.
Owe To
While “owe” is often followed by a noun (e.g., “I owe him money”), it can also take an infinitive to express a debt or obligation to perform an action. “We owe it to ourselves to try our best” suggests a moral or personal obligation.
This usage emphasizes a responsibility that must be fulfilled. It frames the action as a duty or a rightful entitlement for someone.
The infinitive after “owe” highlights a commitment that arises from a sense of debt or duty.
Arrange To
The verb “arrange” implies making preparations or plans for something to happen. It suggests that steps have been taken to ensure an event occurs. “She arranged to meet him at the library” indicates that a meeting has been scheduled.
This verb highlights the proactive steps taken to organize an activity. It focuses on the planning and coordination involved.
Using “arrange to” emphasizes the organizational aspect of setting up an event or action.
Verbs Expressing Perception and Opinion
Some verbs describe how someone perceives or feels about something, often leading to an infinitive construction.
Seem To
“Seem” is used to give an impression or appearance of something. It suggests how something looks or feels, often based on observation. “He seems to be very tired” is an observation about his condition.
It can also express an apparent truth or likelihood. “It seems to be raining outside” indicates a visual or auditory perception of weather.
This verb is useful for expressing subjective interpretations or apparent states.
Appear To
Similar to “seem,” “appear” suggests how something presents itself. It often implies an outward look or manifestation. “The problem appears to be more complex than we initially thought” suggests a growing understanding of difficulty.
It can indicate a visual presentation or a perceived reality. “The new software appears to be user-friendly” is an assessment based on initial impressions.
Both “seem” and “appear” are used to convey impressions rather than definite facts.
Tend To
“Tend” indicates a usual behavior, habit, or inclination. It suggests that something is likely to happen or be done habitually. “Children tend to be curious” describes a common characteristic of young people.
This verb is useful for describing general patterns or predispositions. It speaks to a likelihood rather than a certainty.
Using “tend to” helps to generalize observations about behavior or occurrences.
Verbs of Command and Influence
These verbs are used when one person attempts to get another person to do something.
Tell To
“Tell” used in this context means to instruct or order someone to do something. It implies giving a directive. “The teacher told the students to open their books” is a clear command.
This construction is common in reported speech when relaying instructions. It focuses on the act of communication and the resulting action.
The verb “tell” is a direct way to convey an order or instruction to another person.
Order To
“Order” is a stronger form of command, implying authority. It is used when someone in a position of power directs another to act. “The captain ordered the crew to abandon ship” signifies a serious and authoritative command.
This verb suggests a hierarchical relationship where one person has the power to enforce compliance. It is often used in military, legal, or formal settings.
When authority is a key element, “order to” is the appropriate verb to use.
Ask To
“Ask” in this sense means to request someone to do something. It is a polite way of issuing an instruction or making a request. “She asked him to pass the salt” is a common social interaction.
This verb implies a request rather than a command, suggesting that compliance is not necessarily guaranteed. It maintains a tone of politeness and respect.
Using “ask to” softens the directive, making it a request rather than an order.
Allow To
“Allow” means to permit or give permission for someone to do something. It signifies granting consent or freedom to act. “Parents usually allow their children to play outside” indicates a common parental permission.
This verb focuses on the granting of permission. It implies that the action might otherwise be restricted.
To “allow to” is to give the go-ahead for an action that requires authorization.
Permit To
“Permit” is similar to “allow” but often sounds more formal. It signifies official or explicit permission. “The sign clearly permits visitors to take photographs” indicates a formal allowance.
This verb is frequently used in official rules, regulations, or signs. It denotes a sanctioned action.
When formality or official sanction is implied, “permit to” is often the preferred choice.
Require To
“Require” indicates that something is necessary or mandatory. It is often used in contexts of rules, regulations, or strong expectations. “All employees are required to attend the training session” states a mandatory attendance policy.
This verb implies an obligation that must be met. It suggests that the action is not optional.
To “require to” is to establish a mandatory action or condition.
Advise To
“Advise” means to offer suggestions or recommendations. It is a way of giving counsel or guidance. “The doctor advised the patient to rest for a week” is professional guidance.
This verb focuses on offering recommendations for a course of action. It is less forceful than “tell” or “order.”
Giving advice often involves suggesting a beneficial course of action using “advise to.”
Urge To
“Urge” means to encourage or persuade someone strongly to do something. It implies a strong recommendation or plea. “They urged him to reconsider his decision” conveys persistent encouragement.
This verb suggests a strong push or entreaty towards a particular action. It implies a desire for the recipient to take a specific step.
To “urge to” is to strongly encourage or persuade someone into action.
Encourage To
“Encourage” means to give support, confidence, or hope to someone. It is about fostering a positive attitude towards an action. “The coach encouraged the team to play their best” shows motivational support.
This verb focuses on building confidence and motivation. It aims to inspire action through positive reinforcement.
Positive reinforcement is conveyed when you “encourage to” perform an action.
Verbs Expressing Doubt or Uncertainty
Some verbs are used when expressing uncertainty or a lack of belief regarding an action.
Doubt To
The verb “doubt” typically expresses disbelief or uncertainty about something being true or likely. When followed by an infinitive, it often refers to the likelihood of an action. “I doubt he will arrive on time” expresses skepticism about his punctuality.
This construction highlights a lack of confidence in a future event. It signals that the speaker finds the action improbable.
Expressing skepticism about an action is achieved using “doubt to.”
Question To
To “question” something means to express doubt or to challenge its validity. When followed by an infinitive, it implies skepticism about the action itself or its justification. “She questioned his decision to invest so heavily” suggests she doubts the wisdom of his choice.
This verb implies a critical examination or challenge to an action. It suggests that the action’s rationale is being scrutinized.
Challenging the appropriateness or wisdom of an action is done by using “question to.”
Verbs Expressing Readiness or Willingness
These verbs indicate a state of being prepared or willing to undertake an action.
Be Ready To
The phrase “be ready to” signifies being prepared or willing to start something. It indicates a state of preparedness. “The soldiers were ready to advance” shows their preparedness for military action.
This phrase emphasizes a state of being poised for action. It suggests that all necessary preparations have been made.
Readiness for an upcoming event or task is expressed with “be ready to.”
Be Willing To
“Be willing to” expresses a readiness to do something, often implying a degree of cooperation or acceptance. It highlights a voluntary inclination. “He is willing to help with the cleanup” shows his cooperative spirit.
This construction focuses on the voluntary nature of an action. It suggests an open and cooperative attitude.
Voluntary cooperation or acceptance of a task is conveyed by “be willing to.”
Be Prepared To
“Be prepared to” indicates having made arrangements or taken precautions for something. It suggests foresight and readiness for potential events. “We must be prepared to face any challenges” emphasizes proactive readiness.
This phrase highlights proactive measures taken in anticipation of future events. It suggests a thoughtful approach to potential outcomes.
Anticipating and preparing for future occurrences is captured by “be prepared to.”
Verbs Expressing Likelihood or Probability
These verbs are used to indicate how likely an action is to occur.
Be Likely To
The phrase “be likely to” expresses probability. It suggests that something has a good chance of happening. “The team is likely to win the championship” indicates a strong probability of victory.
This construction is used for predictions based on evidence or general trends. It conveys a sense of probable outcome.
Predicting a probable outcome is the function of “be likely to.”
Be Unlikely To
Conversely, “be unlikely to” expresses that something has a low probability of occurring. It suggests that an action is not expected to happen. “It is unlikely to rain today” indicates a low chance of precipitation.
This phrase is used when anticipating that an event will not occur. It signals a low probability based on current conditions or information.
Expressing a low probability of an event is achieved with “be unlikely to.”
Verbs Expressing Difficulty or Ease
These verbs describe how easy or hard it is to perform an action.
Be Difficult To
The phrase “be difficult to” indicates that performing an action presents challenges. It highlights the effort or complexity involved. “This puzzle is difficult to solve” conveys the challenge it presents.
This construction emphasizes the effort required to accomplish a task. It suggests that the action is not straightforward.
Highlighting the challenges inherent in an action is done using “be difficult to.”
Be Easy To
“Be easy to” signifies that an action can be performed with little effort. It suggests simplicity and straightforwardness. “This recipe is easy to follow” indicates its simplicity.
This phrase denotes a lack of complexity or resistance in performing an action. It implies a smooth and effortless process.
Simplicity and a lack of effort are conveyed by “be easy to.”
Verbs Expressing Need or Requirement (Advanced Usage)
Beyond the basic “need to,” other verbs express a requirement or a lack of something.
Require
The verb “require” can be used more broadly than “need to” to state a necessity or a prerequisite. “The position requires candidates to have at least five years of experience” sets a mandatory qualification.
This usage is common in job descriptions, rules, and formal guidelines. It establishes a condition that must be met.
Setting mandatory conditions or prerequisites is the role of “require.”
Demand
“Demand” implies a strong request that is often considered a right or a necessity. It suggests that something is essential and must be provided or done. “The situation demands immediate action” indicates urgent necessity.
This verb conveys a sense of urgency and absolute necessity. It suggests that the action is non-negotiable.
Expressing an urgent and non-negotiable necessity is done with “demand.”
Verbs Expressing Futility or Avoidance
These verbs indicate that an action is pointless or that one is trying to avoid it.
Avoid To
While “avoid” is typically followed by a gerund (e.g., “avoiding the issue”), it can sometimes be followed by an infinitive in specific, often older or more formal, contexts to mean trying to prevent something from happening. However, this usage is less common and can sound awkward. “He avoided to make eye contact” is less natural than “He avoided making eye contact.”
It’s generally recommended to use the gerund after “avoid” for clarity and naturalness. This distinction highlights the typical grammatical patterns in modern English.
Understanding common grammatical patterns helps in choosing the most appropriate verb form.
Be Futile To
The phrase “be futile to” describes an action that is pointless or useless, with no chance of success. “It is futile to argue with him when he’s angry” suggests that the effort would be wasted.
This construction emphasizes the hopelessness of an endeavor. It highlights that the action will yield no positive results.
Indicating the pointlessness of an action is the purpose of “be futile to.”
Verbs Expressing Expectation or Prediction
These verbs relate to anticipating future events or outcomes.
Expect To
“Expect” conveys anticipation of something happening. It suggests what a person believes will occur. “We expect to launch the new product next month” indicates a planned future event.
This verb is used for projecting future occurrences based on current information or plans. It signifies a belief about what will happen.
Anticipating future events or outcomes is central to the usage of “expect to.”
Predict To
“Predict” means to say or estimate that a specified thing will happen in the future. It is often based on data or knowledge. “The analyst predicted the stock market to rise” suggests a forecast.
This verb is used for making informed guesses about the future. It implies a level of analysis or foresight.
Forecasting future events is the function of “predict to.”
Verbs Expressing Emotion or Reaction
Certain verbs describe emotional responses to situations or actions.
Be Surprised To
The phrase “be surprised to” indicates an unexpected reaction to something. It describes the feeling of astonishment. “She was surprised to see him there” conveys her unexpected encounter.
This construction highlights an emotional response to an unforeseen event. It denotes a deviation from expectations.
Expressing astonishment at an event is done using “be surprised to.”
Be Afraid To
“Be afraid to” signifies fear or apprehension about doing something. It suggests hesitation due to potential negative consequences. “He is afraid to ask for a raise” indicates his fear of rejection or repercussions.
This phrase denotes a reluctance to act stemming from fear. It highlights a psychological barrier to action.
Hesitation due to fear is expressed with “be afraid to.”
Be Glad To
“Be glad to” expresses happiness or pleasure about doing something. It signifies a positive emotional response to an opportunity or action. “I’ll be glad to help you with your move” shows willingness and pleasure.
This construction conveys enthusiasm and positive feelings towards an action. It indicates that the speaker welcomes the opportunity.
Showing pleasure and willingness to participate is conveyed by “be glad to.”
Be Happy To
Similar to “be glad to,” “be happy to” expresses contentment and pleasure in performing an action. It indicates a joyful willingness. “They were happy to accommodate our request” shows their contented compliance.
This phrase emphasizes a state of happiness associated with an action. It suggests that the speaker finds the action pleasing.
Expressing contentment and positive feelings about an action is done using “be happy to.”
Verbs Expressing Likelihood and Likability
These verbs touch upon the probability and desirability of an action.
Be Likely To
The phrase “be likely to” indicates a strong probability that something will happen. It suggests a high chance of a future event. “The company is likely to exceed its profit targets” indicates a strong financial forecast.
This construction is used for making predictions based on available data or trends. It points to a probable outcome.
Predicting probable future events is the function of “be likely to.”
Be Unlikely To
Conversely, “be unlikely to” suggests that an action has a low probability of occurring. It indicates that something is not expected to happen. “Given the circumstances, it’s unlikely to succeed” expresses skepticism about the outcome.
This phrase is employed when anticipating that an event will not come to pass. It signals a low chance of occurrence.
Expressing a low probability for an event is achieved with “be unlikely to.”
Be Certain To
“Be certain to” implies that something is guaranteed to happen. It expresses absolute confidence in a future event. “With his talent, he is certain to become a star” indicates an inevitable success.
This phrase is used when there is no doubt about a future outcome. It signifies a guaranteed result.
Guaranteeing a future outcome is the role of “be certain to.”
Verbs Requiring Careful Distinction
Some verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or a gerund, but with a change in meaning. Understanding these nuances is crucial for precise communication.
Remember To vs. Remember V-ing
“Remember to” implies recalling an obligation or a task that needs to be done. It’s about remembering to perform an action in the future. “Remember to lock the door when you leave” is an instruction to recall a future task.
“Remember V-ing” means to recall a past event or experience. It’s about having a memory of something that has already happened. “I remember meeting him for the first time” signifies a past memory.
The distinction lies in whether the memory pertains to a future obligation or a past experience.
Forget To vs. Forget V-ing
“Forget to” means to fail to remember an obligation or a task. It’s about neglecting to perform an action. “He forgot to pay the electricity bill” indicates an oversight in fulfilling a duty.
“Forget V-ing” means to no longer have a memory of a past event. It’s about losing the recollection of something that occurred. “She will never forget seeing the Grand Canyon” emphasizes a lasting memory.
The difference hinges on whether the failure is about a future duty or the loss of a past memory.
Try To vs. Try V-ing
“Try to” implies making an effort to do something, often with the goal of achieving a specific outcome. It suggests attempting a task. “I will try to finish this report today” indicates an effort to complete it.
“Try V-ing” means to experiment with something to see if it works or to experience it. It’s about testing an action. “Try adding more salt to the soup” suggests an experiment for taste improvement.
The choice between “try to” and “try V-ing” depends on whether the focus is on effort or experimentation.
Stop To vs. Stop V-ing
“Stop to” means to cease one activity in order to do another. The infinitive indicates the purpose of stopping. “He stopped to tie his shoelace” means he paused his walking to tie his shoe.
“Stop V-ing” means to cease an activity altogether. The gerund is the activity that is being stopped. “She stopped smoking last year” means she quit the habit of smoking.
The key difference is whether the infinitive indicates the purpose of stopping or if the gerund is the activity being terminated.
Regret To vs. Regret V-ing
“Regret to” is used when delivering bad news or expressing sorrow about a current or future action. It’s often used in formal contexts. “We regret to inform you that your application was unsuccessful” conveys official bad news.
“Regret V-ing” means to feel sorrow or remorse about something that has already happened. It’s about looking back with sadness. “He regrets not studying harder in college” expresses remorse for past inaction.
The distinction lies in whether the regret is about delivering news or reflecting on a past event.
Conclusion
Mastering verbs that take infinitives significantly enhances grammatical accuracy and expressive range. This guide has covered a wide array of common verbs, from expressing desire and ability to obligation and emotion. By practicing these constructions and paying attention to their specific meanings and contexts, you can communicate more effectively and with greater confidence in English.