1. Infinitives after Certain Verbs10
Infinitives after Certain Verbs
The Life of an English Student
Focus on Grammar 3
Part VII, Unit 29
By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ Wells
Copyright © Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

2. What Students Are Thinking
I want to learn.
I hope to succeed.
I plan to get to class on time.

3. I try to get only “A” grades!
I refuse to give up.
I try to get only “A” grades!
I promise to study hard.

4. to + base form of the verb not + to + base form of the verb
An infinitive is to + base form of the verb. Form the negative by placing not before the infinitive.
Infinitive
to + base form of the verb
I decided to study English this year.
Negative Infinitive
not + to + base form of the verb
I decided not to study chemistry this year.

5. Infinitives after Verbs 1
Certain verbs can be followed by an infinitive.
Examples: ask, advise, tell, want
Infinitive
I want to get a good grade in my English class.
Infinitive
I told her to go to bed.

6. Infinitives after Verbs 2
Some verbs can be followed directly by an infinitive.
Examples: begin, decide, fail, learn, plan, promise, refuse, seem, try
Infinitive
He is learning to spell correctly.
Infinitive
He refuses to be uncomfortable when studying.

7. Infinitives after Objects 1
Some verbs need an object (noun or pronoun) before the infinitive.
Examples: advise, allow, encourage, force, invite, remind, tell, warn
Object
Infinitive
Our teacher advises them to take notes.
Object
Infinitive
She doesn’t allow students to do their homework in class.

8. Infinitives after Objects 2
Some verbs need an object (noun or pronoun) before the infinitive.
Examples: advise, allow, encourage, force, invite, remind, tell, warn
Object
Infinitive
My teacher tells us to pay attention.
Object
Infinitive
She warns students not to cheat on tests.

9. Practice 1 Example: Maria invited …
Complete the sentences with infinitives and your own information. Use objects where needed.
Practice 1
Example:
Maria invited …
Maria invited me to go to a party with her.
1. I promised …
2. My mother plans …
3. Our teacher encourages …
4. My friends decided …
5. My father always tells …

10. Infinitives with or without Objects
Some verbs can be followed by either an infinitive or an object + infinitive.
Examples: ask, expect, help, need, want, would like
Infinitive
He expected to get an “A.”
Object
Infinitive
He expected the teacher to give him an “A.”

11. Practice 2 Example: expect I expected to do well on the test.
Form sentences with the verbs. Use infinitives and use each verb twice: First without an object, and then with an object.
Practice 2
without object
Example:
expect
I expected to do well on the test.
My teacher expected me to do well on the test.
with object 1.
need 2.
help 3.
would like 4.
ask

12. References
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