Verb + Infinitive- Reading and Writing- Grammar Focus

?If these verbs are followed by another verb, the structure is usually verb + infinitive:

■ It was late, so we decided to take a taxi home.

■ I like George, but I think he tends to talk too much.

■ How old were you when you learned to drive? (or learned how to drive)

■ They agreed to lend me some money when I told them the position I was in.

■ He’s lazy. He needs to work harder.

■ I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.

?Note these examples with the negative not to…:

■ We decided not to go out because of the weather.

■ She pretended not to see me as she passed me on the street.

?With other important verbs you cannot use the infinitive. For example think and suggest:

■ Are you thinking of buying a car? (not thinking to buy)

■ Jill suggested going to the movies (not suggested to go)

 ? There is a continuous infinitive (to be doing) and a perfect infinitive (to have done). We use these especially after seem, appear, and pretend:

■ I pretended to be reading. (= I pretended that I was reading)

■ You seem to have lost weight. (= it seems that you have lost weight)

■ He appears to be doing a good job. (= it appears that he is doing a good job)

?Dare: You can say dare to do or dare do (without to):

■ I wouldn’t dare to ask him. or I wouldn’t dare ask him.

? After the following verbs you can use a question word (what/where/how, etc.) + infinitive:

ask    decide    know   remember   forget   explain    understand

?Also: show/tell/ask someone what/how/where to do something:

■ Can someone show me how to change the film in this camera?

■ Ask Jack. He’ll tell you what to do.

1- Complete each sentence with an appropriate verb.

Example: Don’t forget to mail the letter I gave you.

1. Tom refused _________ me any money.
2. Jill has decided not _________ a car.
3. The thief got into the house because I forgot _________ the window.
4. There was a lot of traffic but we managed _________ to the airport in time.
5. One day I’d like to learn _________ an airplane.
6. I shouted to him. He pretended not _________ me, but I’m sure he did.
7. Why hasn’t Sue arrived yet? She promised not _________ late.
8. Our neighbor threatened _________ the police if we didn’t stop making noise.
9. Ann offered _________ care of our children while we were out.
10. The teacher was very strict. Nobody dared_________ during his class.
11. I don’t need _________ to the meeting, do I?
12. Oh no! I meant _________ some eggs, but I forgot.

2- This time make sentences with seem and appear.

Examples:Is he waiting for someone? He appears to be waiting for someone.

Has she lost weight? She seems to have lost weight.

1. Is Tom worried about something? He seems _________________.
2. Does Ann like Jack? She appears _________________.
3. Is that man looking for something? He appears _________________.
4. Has that car broken down?   It seems _________________.
5. Have they gone out? They appear _________________.

3- Now use the structure in section d. Complete each sentence using what or how with one of the following verbs:  do    say     get    use    ride    cook

Example: Do you know how to get to John’s house?

1. Have you decided what                       for dinner this evening?
2. Can you show me ____________ the washing machine?
3. Do you know ____________ if there’s a fire in the building?
4. You’ll never forget ____________ a bicycle once you’ve learned.
5. I was really astonished. I didn’t know____________

4- Now make your own sentences. Complete each sentence with the infinitive. Send your sentences to be corrected.

Example: This evening I plan to go to the theater.

1. Not many people can afford ____________________.
2. I would like to learn ____________________.
3. One day I hope ____________________.
4. I wouldn’t dare ____________________.
5. Sometimes I tend ____________________.
6. I intend____________________.

Source: Grammar In Use

Check your answers⇓.

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Answer Key

1

1 to lend / to give

2 to buy/to rent / to get

3 to shut / to close / to lock

4 to get (“arrive” is not possible because we say “arrive at the airport”)

5 (how) to fly / to pilot (not “to drive”)

6 to hear/to understand / to see

7 to be / to come / to arrive

8 to call/to telephone / to phone 

9 to take

10 (to) talk/(to) speak / (to) laugh / (to) play (After “dare” you can use the infinitive with or without “to”.)

11 to come / to go

12 to buy / to get / to pick up

2

1 He seems to be worried about something.

2 She appears to like Jack.

3 He appears to be looking for something.

4 It seems to have broken down.

5 They appear to have gone out.

3

1 what to cook

2 how to use

3 what to do

4 how to ride

5 what to say (“what to do” is also possible)

4 Sample Answers:

1 Not many people can afford to buy a Rolls Royce.

2 I would like to learn (how) to ride a horse.

3 One day I hope to have enough money to travel around the world.

4 I wouldn’t dare (to) wear clothes like that. I would look stupid.

5 Sometimes I tend to be a bit lazy.

6 I intend to get my work done on time.