10

Infinitives after Certain Verbs

The Life of an English Student

Focus on Grammar 3 Part VII, Unit 29 By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ Wells
Copyright 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

What Students Are Thinking

I want to learn. to class I plan to get I try to on time. I refuse to give up. get only A grades! I hope to succeed.

I promise to study hard.

Form
An infinitive is to + base form of the verb. Form the negative by placing not before the infinitive.
Infinitive to + base form of the verb

I decided to study English this year.

Negative Infinitive not +to + base form of the verb

I decided not to study chemistry this year.

Infinitives after Verbs 1

Certain verbs can be followed by an infinitive.

Examples: ask, advise, tell, want Infinitive

I want to get a good grade in my English class.

Infinitive

I told her to go to bed.

Infinitives after Verbs 2

Some verbs can be followed directly by an infinitive.
Examples: begin, decide, fail, learn, plan, promise, refuse, seem, try Infinitive

He is learning to spell correctly.

Infinitive

He refuses to be uncomfortable when studying.

Infinitives after Objects 1

Some verbs need an object (noun or pronoun) before the infinitive.
Examples: advise, allow, encourage, force, invite, remind, tell, warn Object Infinitive

Our teacher advises them to take notes.

Object Infinitive

She doesnt allow students to do their homework in class.

Infinitives after Objects 2

Some verbs need an object (noun or pronoun) before the infinitive.
Examples: advise, allow, encourage, force, invite, remind, tell, warn

Object Infinitive

My teacher tells us to pay attention.

Object Infinitive

She warns students not to cheat on tests.

Practice 1

Complete the sentences with infinitives and your own information. Use objects where needed.

Example: Maria invited Maria invited me to go to a party with her. 1. I promised 2. My mother plans 3. Our teacher encourages 4. My friends decided 5. My father always tells

Infinitives with or without Objects

Some verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or an object + infinitive. Examples: ask, expect, help, need, want, would like
Infinitive

He expected to get an A.
Object Infinitive

He expected the teacher to give him an A.

Practice 2
Example:

Form sentences with the verbs. Use infinitives and use each verb twice: First without an object, and then with an object.

without object

expect

I expected to do well on the test. My teacher expected me to do well on the test.

with object

1. 2.

need help

3. would like 4. ask

References
Copyright 2006 Pearson Education and its licensors. All rights reserved.