Verbs followed by a noun and infinitive

VERBS FOLLOWED BY A NOUN AND INFINITIVE

These are the most common of the verbs that are normally followed by a noun + infinitive. The verbs marked * may also be followed by a ‘that-clause‘.

Example

VERBNOUNINFINITIVE

He reminded

me

to buy some eggs.

  

THAT-CLAUSE

He reminded

me

that I had to buy some eggs.

 

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*

Notes:

* command, direct, entreat, implore, order, require, trust:
there is no noun between these verbs and a ‘that-clause’:

  • The general commanded his men to surrender.
  • The general commanded that his men should surrender.

persuade and remind:
there is always a noun between these verbs and a ‘that-clause’:

  • You can’t persuade people to buy small cars.
  • You can’t persuade people that small cars are better.

instruct, teach, warn:
the noun is optional between these verbs and a ‘that-clause’:

  • She taught her students to appreciate poetry.
  • She taught her students that poetry was valuable.
  • She taught that poetry was valuable.

Examples

  • The professor challenged his students to argue with his theory.
  • This law empowers the government to charge more taxes.
  • You can’t force me to do something I don’t agree with.
  • You are obliged to drive on the left in England.
  • I invited the new student to have dinner with me.
  • What inspired you to write this poem?
  • The elephant told the mouse to climb up his tail.AND