Verbs Followed by an Infinitive
afford
At last I can afford to buy a new car.
agree
He agreed to work on Saturday.
aim
We aim to please all our clients.
appear
I appear to have forgotten my glasses.
arrange
I think we can arrange to put you in a double room.
ask
He asked to leave early.
attempt
This is the second time we have attempted to climb the mountain.
be able to
Note This is also considered an auxiliary modal verb similar to can, but sometimes it is used to differentiate between general ability and a particular situation.
Ask John. He will be able to help you.
Normally I can do these problems, but I am not able to solve this one.
beg
I beg to differ on that point.
bother
He didn’t bother to ask for permision.
care
Would you care to choose another one, sir?
choose
I will go when I choose to go, and not before.
condescend
I don’t know if the Senator will condescend to see us.
consent
He consented to pay for the dinner.
dare
Note This is considered a semi-modal auxiliary verb. Particularly in negative, the modal form is preferred.
He didn’t dare to climb the tree.
He didn’t dare climb the tree.
decide
We decided to buy the pink one in the end.
deserve
You don’t deserve to be treated like that.
expect
I expect to receive the payment any day now.
fail
I fail to understand your argument.
happen
If it happens to fall, just put it back up again.
have
Note have to is also considered an auxiliary modal verb similar to must, meaning obligation
I have to go to work now.
help
Note The to is optional.
I helped to pack her bags.
I helped pack her bags.
hesitate
If you hesitate to make the reservation, you could lose the discount.
hope
I hope to see my aunt this week-end.
long
I am longing to go to Paris.
offer
I offered to carry her suitcase for her.
plan
I plan to play football this week-end.
prepare
Always be prepared to help others whenever you can.
pretend
I know you are only pretending to be asleep.
proceed
He proceeded to apply the lotion as instructed.
promise
I promise to tell the truth.
refuse
I refuse to take such silly advice.
seem
You seem to be rather tired today.
strive
He strives to teach well.
swear
I swear to tell the truth.
tend
It tends to snow here in winter.
threaten
He threatened to call the police.
wait
I can’t wait to see her face when I tell her!
want
I want to play the guitar.
Note (UK) usage with gerund below.
wish
I wish to complain to the manager.
would like
I would like to drink some water.
Verbs Used in Passive Voice Followed by an Infinitive
Note These verbs are not found in catenative form with to infinitive except in the passive voice.
allowed
You are allowed to wear jeans here.
asked
We were asked to leave by the back door.
forbid
You are forbidden to smoke in here.
permit
But you are permitted to smoke in here.
request
You are requested to leave immediately.
Verbs Followed by a Gerund
admit
He admitted taking the money.
advise
I advise leaving immediately.
allow
We do not allow smoking here.
appreciate
I would appreciate receiving more help with this.
avoid
Please avoid touching the goods on display.
can’t help
I can’t help liking the way he smiles.
complete
I have completed painting the kitchen.
consider
Have you considered working at the factory?
delay
We had to delay travelling because of the weather.
deny
I deny taking the money.
detest
I detest working on Sundays.
dislike
I dislike working on Saturdays.
enjoy
I enjoy watching snooker on the TV.
escape
He escaped being run over by about a millisecond!
finish
When you finish painting the shed, let me know.
forbid
They forbid smoking in the restaurant.
imagine
Can you imagine winning the lottery?
imply
This plan implies buying an expensive piece of equipment.
mind
Would you mind closing the window, please?
miss
I miss playing football with my friends.
permit
Do they permit smoking in here?
practice and practise
I like to practice playing the piano every day.
quit
I wish I could quit smoking.
recall
I recall meeting you at the convention in New York.
recommend
I can recommend washing your clothes with this product.
regret
Note This verb is found with to infinitive in some set phrases. See next section.
I regret telling him about the party now.
resent
I resent seeing him enjoying himself as if nothing has happened.
resist
How can you resist eating those lovely chocolates?
resume
We will resume discussing this matter tomorrow.
risk
We can’t risk working in the dark.
stand
Note This verb is most commonly found in the form can’t stand.
I can’t stand walking in the rain.
suggest
I suggest asking your teacher about it.
tolerate
I won’t tolerate swearing in this office.
want
Note (UK) usage. Means require or need.
That door wants painting.
give up
Phrasal verbs in general are followed by the gerund.
I gave up smoking last year.
Verbs Followed by a To Infinitive or a Gerund
No difference in meaning
bear
Note This verb is most commonly found in the form can’t bear.
I can’t bear to hear him sing.
I can’t bear hearing him sing.
begin
It began to rain.
It began raining.
continue
It continued to rain.
It continued raining.
intend
I intend to finish this.
I intend finishing this.
love
I love to swim in the sea.
I love swimming in the sea.
neglect
I neglected to paint behind the cupboard.
I neglected painting behind the cupboard.
prefer
I prefer to work alone.
I prefer working alone.
regret
Note This verb is normally followed by the gerund, except in certain set phrases with tell, say, and inform.
I regret inviting him to the party now.
I regret to tell you that the show has been cancelled.
I regret to have to inform you that your brother has had a serious accident.
start
I started to learn Spanish three years ago.
I started learning Spanish three years ago.
Difference in meaning
forget
I forgot to go to the shopping centre. (I remember that it is something I meant to do but didn’t do.)
I forget going to the shopping centre. (I cannot remember if I went there or not.)
like
I like to go to the dentist every 6 months. (I have the custom. I do not necessarily enjoy it.)
I like going to the cinema every week. (An activity that I enjoy.)
mean
I meant to tell her yesterday, but I forgot. (Intention. I intended to tell her.)
The promotion will mean moving to a new area. (Signify. Imply)
remember
I remembered to lock the door. (I did not forget that I was supposed to lock the door, and I locked it.)
I remember locking the door. (I can remember that I did this activity.)
Note For this reason, the imperative form can only take the to infinitive.
Remember to lock the door when you go out.
propose
I propose to open up a little shop. (I have the intention of doing something)
I propose going to that nice little restaurant by the beach. (I suggest, or make a proposal, for a group activity.)
stop
Note Many sources state that this has two meaning. But some sources state that it is nothing more than ellipsis of the first activity in gerund form, as context will always allow us to know what activity has stopped, followed by an infinitive of purpose.
I stopped driving.
I stopped to drink some coffee. (This could be an ellipsed form of I stopped driving. followed by the purpose to drink some coffee.)
try
I tried to open the door, but it was locked. (I attempted and failed in an activity.)
I tried opening the door. Then I tried opening the window. (I made an attempt or experiment. Neither success nor failure is implied.)
Verbs Followed by a bare Infinitive
dare
Note This is considered a semi-modal auxiliary verb. Particularly in negative, the modal form is preferred.
He daren’t climb the tree.
He didn’t dare to climb the tree.
He didn’t dare climb the tree.
help
Note The to is optional.
I helped to pack her bags.
I helped pack her bags.
go
Go clean your room.
I can’t go watch that movie.