verbs followed by to + infinitive

1 Some verbs are followed by the to-infinitive:

I decided to go home as soon as possible.
We all wanted to have more English classes.

Common verbs followed by the to-infinitive are:

Verbs of thinking and feeling:

• choose
• decide
• expect
• forget
• hate
• hope
• intend
• learn
• like
• love
• mean
• plan
• prefer
• remember
• would like
• would love

Verbs of saying:

• agree
• promise
• refuse

Other common verbs are:

• arrange
• attempt
• fail
• help
• manage
• tend
• try
• want

2 Some verbs are followed by a noun and the to-infinitive:

She asked him to send her a text message.
He wanted all his friends to come to his party.

Common verbs with this pattern are:

Verbs of saying:

• advise
• ask
• encourage
• invite
• order
• persuade
• remind
• tell
• warn *

*Note: The verb warn is normally used with not
The police warned everyone not to drive too fast.

Verbs of wanting or liking:

• expect
• intend
• would
• prefer
• want
• would like

Other verbs with this pattern are:

• allow
• enable
• force
• get
• teach

3. Passive infinitive

Many of these verbs are sometimes followed by a passive infinitive
(to be + past participle):

I expected to be met when I arrived at the station.
They wanted to be told if anything happened.
I don’t like driving myself. I prefer to be driven.

Activity 1(pop-up): Match the 'to infinitive' clauses to the sentence beginnings.

Activity 2(pop-up): Match the 'to infinitive' clauses to the sentence beginnings.

Activity 3(pop-up): Match the 'to infinitive' clauses to the sentence beginnings.