Self study The Infinitive

Verb + infinitive

In this construction the infinitive stands immediately after the verb, usually after the following verbs: afford, agree, appear, ask, beg, begin, continue, decide, deserve, expect, fail, forget, hate, hesitate, hope, intend, learn, like, love, manage, mean, need, offer, plan, prefer, prepare, pretend, promise, refuse, regret, remember, seem, start, threaten, try, want, would like.

The infinitive is an object after most of the verbs of this group. The infinitive after the linking verbs "appear, seem" is a complement, i.e. part of a compound nominal predicate. In some sources, the infinitive after "appear, seem" is regarded as part of a compound verbal predicate.

He hopes to see them soon.

His daughter is learning to drive.

I need to talk to him.

She forgot to lock the door.

He refused to help them.

I want to go home.

He appears to be tired.

She seems to like her job.

The continuous infinitive (emphasizing duration of the action) and the perfect infinitive (indicating the preceding action) are rather often used after the verbs "seem, appear, pretend".

He pretended to be reading.

The weather seems to be improving.

He seems to have lost weight.

He appears to have forgotten about it.

Note the use of the passive infinitive in those cases where the person indicated in the subject undergoes the action of the infinitive (i.e., that person does not perform the action himself / herself).

She doesn't like to be disturbed during her work.

I would like to be invited to the party.