VERBS FOLLOWED BY THE INFINITIVE

A. The to-infinitive is used after the verbs in this group, without a preceding noun. The verbs marked * can also be followed by a that-clause

Example:

VERBTO-INFINITIVE

I hope…

to see you next week.

 

THAT- CLAUSE

I hope…

that I’ll see you next week

List of verbs followed by the infinitive

afford
agree1
aim
appear1
arrange1
bother
care
claim1
condescend
consent
decide1
demand1
determine1
endeavour

fail
guarantee1
happen 1
hasten
have (= be obliged)
hesitate
hope1
learn
long
manage
offer
prepare
pretend1
proceed

promise1
propose
prove (= turn out)
refuse resolve1
seek
seem1
strive
swear1
tend
threaten1
trouble
undertake
volunteer
vow1

1 These verbs can only be followed by a ‘that-clause’ when they have the subject ‘it’

Example

  • It appeared that no-one had locked the door.

Examples:

  • He claimed to be an expert.
  • I managed to reach the top of the hill.
  • I know you’re only pretending to love me!
  • Don’t pretend that you know the answer.
  • She failed to explain the problem clearly.
  • The customs man demanded to search our luggage.
  • I can’t afford to go out tonight.