Many different verbs are followed, or can be followed, by a second verb in the infinitive.

All of the
verbs listed on on this page are followed by a to-infinitive when the infinitive is used. Verbs marked
with an asterix can also be followed by a that-clause, as shown in the examples. Verbs marked with
two asterix can only be followed by a that-clause when the subject of the primary verb is "it".

VERBS FOLLOWED BY THE INFINITIVE

afford agree* aim appear** arrange* bother care

claim* condescend consent decide* demand* determine* endeavour

fail guarantee* happen* hasten have (= be obliged) hesitate hope*

learn long manage offer prepare pretend* proceed

promise* propose prove (= turn out) refuse resolve* seek seem**

strive swear* tend threaten* trouble undertake volunteer

vow*

EXAMPLES
 I hope to see you next week.
 I hope that I'll see you next week.
 He claimed to be an expert.
 He claimed that she was an expert.
 I managed to reach the top of the hill.
 Would you care to swim?

EXAMPLES
 It appeared that no-one had locked the door.
 He appeared to be lost.
 It seems that she is running late.
 She seems to be running late.

VERBS FOLLOWED BY A NOUN + THE INFINITIVE

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*

EXAMPLES
 The professor challenged his students to argue with his theory.
 This law empowers the government to charge higher taxes.
 You can't force me to do something I don't agree with.
 I invited the new student to have dinner with me.
 What inspired you to write this poem?

VERBS WITHOUT A NOUN BEFORE A THAT-CLAUSE

When certain verbs are followed by a that-clause, there is no noun before the that clause even
though there is a noun before the infinitive. This is the case for the verbs command, direct, entreat,
implore, order, require, & trust.

EXAMPLES
 I trust you to tell the truth.
 I trust that you are telling the truth.
 The general commanded his men to surrender.
 The general commanded that his men surrender.

VERBS WITH A NOUN BEFORE A THAT-CLAUSE

Other verbs, when followed by a that-clause require a noun before the that-clause, just as before
the infinitive. This is the case for the verbs persuade & remind.

EXAMPLES
 You can't persuade people to buy small cars.
 You can't persuade people that small cars are better.
  He reminded me to take my notebook to school.
 He reminded me that I would need my notebook.

VERBS WITH AN OPTIONAL NOUN BEFORE A THAT-CLAUSE

A final group of verbs when followed by a that-clause take an optional noun before the that clause.
This is the case for the verbs instruct, teach, & warn.

EXAMPLES
 She taught her students to appreciate poetry.
 She taught her students that poetry was valuable.
 She taught that poetry was valuable.

VERBS FOLLOWED BY THE INFINITIVE OR A NOUN

+ THE INFINITIVE
ask* beg* choose dare desire* elect expect*

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

EXAMPLES
 I asked him to show me the book.
 I asked to see the book.
 She helped me to put away the dishes.
 She helped to put away the dishes.
 We expect you to do your best in the exam.
 We expect to do well on our exams.
 Do you want to go to the beach?
 Do you want me to go with you to the beach?

USING TO DARE
In negative and interrogative sentences the infinitive with or without 'to' is possible as long as the
subject of both verbs is the same, though it is more common to omit the 'to'. If the subject of the two
verbs is different, you must include to.

EXAMPLES
 I never dared tell him what happened.
 Do you dare tell him?
 Would you dare (to) jump out of a plane?
 I dare you to tell him the truth.
 She dared me to jump off the wall.