Verbs That Are Followed By Infinitives

Verbs followed by infinitives are a fundamental aspect of English grammar, allowing for more complex and nuanced expressions. Mastering these verb patterns will significantly improve your writing and speaking skills, enabling you to convey intentions, plans, and possibilities with greater precision. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the intricacies of verbs followed by infinitives, providing examples, common errors to avoid, and practical tips to help you use them correctly and confidently.

Introduction

Infinitives, typically identified by the word to followed by the base form of a verb (e.g., to run, to eat, to think), often appear after certain verbs to form coherent and meaningful sentences. This grammatical structure is crucial for expressing a wide range of ideas, from future plans and intentions to obligations and abilities. Understanding which verbs can be followed by infinitives and how to use them correctly is essential for effective communication in English.

What is an Infinitive?

An infinitive is the base form of a verb preceded by the word to. It can function as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb within a sentence. For example:

To swim is my favorite exercise. (Noun)
I need a book to read. (Adjective)
He studied hard to pass the exam. (Adverb)

In the context of this article, we will focus on infinitives that follow specific verbs to create various sentence structures.

Common Verbs Followed by Infinitives

Many English verbs can be followed by infinitives. Here is an extensive list categorized for easier understanding:

Verbs of Intention and Desire

These verbs express what someone wants, intends, or hopes to do.

Want: I want to travel the world.
Wish: I wish to see you again.
Hope: They hope to win the competition.
Desire: She desires to become a doctor.
Long: He longs to return home.
Yearn: They yearn to be free.

Verbs of Planning and Decision

These verbs indicate decisions, plans, or arrangements.

Decide: We decided to go to the beach.
Plan: They plan to build a new house.
Intend: I intend to finish this project by Friday.
Mean: She didn't mean to hurt your feelings.
Prepare: We are preparing to move to a new city.
Arrange: They arranged to meet at the cafe.

Verbs of Ability and Opportunity

These verbs suggest capability or the chance to do something.

Afford: I can't afford to buy a new car.
Manage: He managed to fix the broken computer.
Fail: They failed to complete the task on time.
Dare: She didn't dare to speak up in the meeting.
Get: I need to get to work on time.

Verbs of Obligation and Agreement

These verbs imply a sense of duty, commitment, or promise.

Agree: We agreed to help them with the project.
Promise: I promise to be there for you.
Swear: He swore to tell the truth.
Refuse: She refused to accept the offer.
Offer: They offered to give us a ride.

Verbs of Persuasion and Encouragement

These verbs involve influencing someone else's actions.

Ask: I asked him to help me with the dishes.
Tell: She told me to be careful.
Advise: They advised me to invest in the stock market.
Encourage: My parents encouraged me to pursue my dreams.
Invite: We invited them to join us for dinner.
Remind: He reminded me to take my medication.
Warn: They warned us not to go there alone.

Verbs of Learning and Knowing

These verbs relate to acquiring knowledge or understanding.

Learn: I learned to play the guitar.
Know: He knows how to speak French.
Find out: I found out how to solve the problem.
Understand: I understand how to do it.

Verbs of Appearance and Seeming

These verbs describe how something appears or seems.

Seem: He seems to be happy.
Appear: She appears to be tired.
Tend: People tend to forget things.
Happen: He happened to be at the right place at the right time.

Other Common Verbs

Need: I need to study for the exam.
Like: I like to read books.
Love: She loves to dance.
Hate: I hate to waste time.
Prefer: I prefer to drink coffee in the morning.
Start: It started to rain.
Begin: The movie began to play.
Continue: They continued to work on the project.

Examples in Sentences

To further illustrate how these verbs are used, here are more examples in complete sentences:

I want to learn Spanish.
They decided to sell their house.
She hopes to get a promotion.
We agreed to meet at 9 AM.
He promised to call me back.
I can't afford to go on vacation this year.
She managed to finish the race despite the injury.
They asked me to help them move.
My doctor advised me to exercise regularly.
He seems to be very happy with his new job.
I need to buy groceries.
She likes to listen to music while she works.
It started to snow.
The cat refused to leave the house.
I yearn to travel again.

Verbs Followed by Either Infinitives or Gerunds

Some verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or a gerund (-ing form of the verb), often with a subtle change in meaning. These include:

Start, Begin, Continue:
- He started to rain.
- He started raining.
- Both sentences are correct, but the infinitive form (to rain) may imply a more specific or deliberate action.
Like, Love, Hate, Prefer:
- I like to swim.
- I like swimming.
- Generally, using the infinitive (to swim) expresses a preference for the activity in general, while the gerund (swimming) focuses on the enjoyment of the activity itself.
Remember, Forget, Regret:
- I remembered to lock the door. (I remembered and then locked the door.)
- I remembered locking the door. (I have a memory of locking the door.)
- I forgot to call him. (I didn't call him.)
- I forgot calling him. (I don't remember calling him.)
- I regret to inform you that your application was rejected. (Formal announcement)
- I regret saying that. (I am sorry for having said that.)
Try:
- Try to open the window. (Make an effort to open it.)
- Try opening the window. (Experiment to see if it helps.)
Stop:
- I stopped to smoke. (I paused what I was doing in order to smoke.)
- I stopped smoking. (I quit smoking as a habit.)

Common Errors to Avoid

Using verbs followed by infinitives can be tricky, and learners often make mistakes. Here are some common errors to watch out for:

Incorrect Verb Choice

Incorrect: I enjoy to read books.
Correct: I enjoy reading books. (Enjoy is typically followed by a gerund.)
Correct: I like to read books. (Like can be followed by either an infinitive or a gerund.)

Misusing Prepositions

Incorrect: I look forward to see you.
Correct: I look forward to seeing you. (Look forward to is followed by a gerund.)

Forgetting "To"

Incorrect: I want go home.
Correct: I want to go home.

Double Infinitives

Incorrect: I want to can swim.
Correct: I want to be able to swim.

Using the Wrong Form of the Verb

Incorrect: He needs studying.
Correct: He needs to study.

Tips for Mastering Verbs Followed by Infinitives

To improve your understanding and use of verbs followed by infinitives, consider these tips:

Memorize Common Verb Patterns: Create flashcards or lists of verbs that are commonly followed by infinitives. Regularly review these lists to reinforce your memory.
Practice Sentence Construction: Write sentences using different verbs followed by infinitives. This will help you become more comfortable with the structure and usage.
Read Extensively: Pay attention to how native English speakers use these verb patterns in books, articles, and other written materials.
Listen Actively: Notice how people use verbs followed by infinitives in conversations, podcasts, and other spoken content.
Seek Feedback: Ask a teacher, tutor, or native speaker to review your writing and provide feedback on your use of verbs followed by infinitives.
Use Online Resources: Utilize websites and apps that offer grammar exercises and quizzes to test your knowledge and identify areas for improvement.
Keep a Grammar Journal: Write down new verbs and patterns you encounter, along with example sentences. Review your journal regularly to reinforce your learning.
Focus on Context: Pay attention to the context in which verbs are used. This will help you understand the subtle differences in meaning when a verb is followed by an infinitive versus a gerund.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

As you become more comfortable with the basic patterns, you can explore more advanced usages and nuances:

Using Infinitives with Passive Voice

Infinitives can also be used in passive voice constructions:

He wants to be respected.
She hopes to be invited to the party.
They expect to be paid on time.

Using Perfect Infinitives

Perfect infinitives (to have + past participle) are used to describe actions that were completed before the time of the main verb:

He seems to have forgotten his keys.
She claims to have seen a ghost.
They appear to have finished the project.

Using Bare Infinitives

Some verbs are followed by the base form of the verb without to. These are known as bare infinitives and typically follow modal verbs or certain verbs of perception:

Modal Verbs: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would
- I can swim.
- You should study.
Verbs of Perception: see, hear, feel, watch, notice
- I saw him leave the building.
- We heard her sing a song.

Conclusion

Understanding and correctly using verbs followed by infinitives is crucial for mastering English grammar. By familiarizing yourself with common verb patterns, practicing sentence construction, and avoiding common errors, you can significantly improve your ability to communicate effectively in both writing and speaking. Continuously review and practice these concepts to reinforce your understanding and gain confidence in your English language skills. Embrace the challenge and enjoy the journey of mastering this essential aspect of English grammar.