THE INFINITIVE

VERBS NORMALLY FOLLOWED BY THE INFINITIVE

C. These are the most common of the verbs followed by a to-infinitive, with or without a noun.

Examples

• I asked him to show me the book.
• I asked to see the book. 

ask* beg* choose dare desire* elect

expect* help mean* (=intend) request* want wish*

The verbs marked * can also be followed by a that-clause

Note:

dare: In negative and interrogative sentences the infinitive with or without 'to' is possible, though it is more common to omit the 'to':

• I never dared tell him what happened.
• Dare you tell him the news?
• Would you dare (to) jump out of a plane?

Examples

We've chosen John to represent the company at the conference.

• The driver didn't try to stop after the accident.
• We expect you to do your best in the exam.
• Do you want to go to the beach?
• Do you want me to go with you to the beach?
• You are requested to be quiet in this library.

THE INFINITIVE

VERBS NORMALLY FOLLOWED BY THE INFINITIVE

B. These are the most common of the verbs that are normally followed by a noun + infinitive. The verbs marked * may also be followed by a 'that-clause'.

Examples

VERB	NOUN	INFINITIVE
He reminded	me	to buy some eggs.
		THAT-CLAUSE
He reminded	me	that I had to buy some eggs.

accustom aid  appoint assist cause challenge command* defy direct* drive empower enable encourage entice

entitle entreat force get implore* incite induce inspire instruct* invite lead leave (make someone responsible) oblige

order* persuade* press prompt provoke remind* require* stimulate summon teach tell tempt trust* warn*

Notes:

* command, direct, entreat, implore, order, require, trust:
there is no noun between these verbs and a 'that-clause':

• The general commanded his men to surrender.
• The general commanded that his men should surrender.

persuade and remind:there is always a noun between these verbs and a 'that-clause':

• You can't persuade people to buy small cars.
• You can't persuade people that small cars are better.

instruct, teach, warn:the noun is optional between these verbs and a 'that-clause':

• She taught her students to appreciate poetry.
• She taught her students that poetry was valuable.
• She taught that poetry was valuable.

Examples

• The professor challenged his students to argue with his theory.
• This law empowers the government to charge more taxes.
• You can't force me to do something I don't agree with.
• You are obliged to drive on the left in England.
• I invited the new student to have dinner with me.
• What inspired you to write this poem?
• The elephant told the mouse to climb up his tail.

THE INFINITIVE

VERBS NORMALLY FOLLOWED BY THE INFINITIVE

A. The to-infinitive is used after the verbs in this group, without a preceding noun. The verbs marked * can also be followed by a 'that-clause'

Examples

VERB	TO-INFINITIVE
I hope...	to see you next week.
	THAT- CLAUSE
I hope...	that I'll see you next week

List of verbs normally followed by the infinitive

afford agree1 aim appear1 arrange1 bother care claim1 condescend consent decide1 demand1 determine1 endeavour

fail guarantee1 happen 1 hasten have (= be obliged) hesitate hope1 learn long manage offer prepare pretend1 proceed

promise1 propose prove (= turn out) refuse resolve1 seek seem1 strive swear1 tend threaten1 trouble undertake volunteer vow1

¹ These verbs can only be followed by a 'that-clause' when they have the subject 'it'. 

Example

• It appeared that no-one had locked the door.

Examples

• He claimed to be an expert.
• I managed to reach the top of the hill.
• I know you're only pretending to love me!
• Don't pretend that you know the answer.
• She failed to explain the problem clearly.
• The customs man demanded to search our luggage.
• I can't afford to go out tonight.

THE INFINITIVE

FUNCTION

The most common uses of the infinitive are:

To indicate the purpose or intention of an action (where the 'to' has the same meaning as'in order to' or 'so as to'):

• She's gone to collect her pay cheque.
• The three bears went into the forest to find firewood.

As the subject of the sentence:

• To be or not to be, that is the question.
• To know her is to love her.
  (Note: this is more common in written English than spoken)

With nouns or pronouns, to indicate what something can be used for, or what is to be done with it:

• Would you like something to drink?
• I haven't anything to wear.
• The children need a garden to play in.

After adjectives in these patterns:

• It is + adjective +to-infinitiveIt is good to talk
• It is + adjective + infinitive + for someone + to-infinitive.It is hard for elephants to see mice
• It is + adjective + infintive + of someone + to-infinitive.
  It is unkind of her to say that.

After an adjective + noun when a comment or judgement is being made:

• It was a stupid place to park the car.
• This is the right thing to do.
• It was an astonishing way to behave.

With too and enough in these patterns:

too much/many (+ noun) + to-infinitive

• There's too much sugar to put in this bowl.
• I had too many books to carry.

too + adjective + to-infinitive

• This soup is too hot to eat.
• She was too tired to work.

too + adverb + to-infinitive

• He arrived too late to see the actors.

enough (+ noun) + to-infinitive

• I've had enough (food) to eat.

adjective + enough + to-infinitive

• She's old enough to make up her own mind.

not enough (+noun) + to-infinitive

• There isn't enough snow to ski on.

not + adjective + enough + to-infinitive

• You're not old enough to have grand-children!

THE INFINITIVE

OTHER FORMS

The infinitive can have the following forms:

• The perfect infinitive
• The continuous infinitive
• The perfect continuous infinitive
• The passive infinitive

NOTE: as with the present infinitive, there are situations where the to is omitted, e.g. after most modal auxiliaries.

The perfect infinitive:

to have + past participle , e.g. to have broken, to have seen, to have saved. This form is most commonly found in Type 3 conditional sentences, using the conditional perfect, e.g. If I had known you were coming I would have baked a cake. Examples Someone must have broken the window and climbed in. I would like to have seen the Taj Mahal when I was in India. He pretended to have seen the film. If I'd seen the ball I would have caught it.

The continuous infinitive:

to be + present participle, e.g.to be swimming, to be joking, to be waiting Examples I'd really like to be swimming in a nice cool pool right now. You must be joking! I happened to be waiting for the bus when the accident happened.

The perfect continuous infinitive:

to have been + present participle Examples to have been crying to have been waiting to have been painting  The woman seemed to have been crying. You must have been waiting for hours! He pretended to have been painting all day.

The passive infinitive:

to be + past participle, e.g. to be given, to be shut, to be opened Examples I am expecting to be given a pay-rise next month. These doors should be shut. This window ought to be opened.