Verbs followed by infinitives

Verbs followed by infinitives 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". Test your knowledge Verbs followed by the infinitive

Examples

• 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.

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*

Verbs followed by a noun + the infinitive
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

• 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.

ask*	beg*	choose	dare	desire*	elect	expect*
help	mean* (=intend)	request*	want	wish*

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
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

• 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.