List of verbs with to-infinitive
(English verbs that require the use of the to-infinitive)
Contents
Which English verbs require the infinitive?
In English grammar, it is sometimes possible to use a verb (the first verb in the clause) together with a second verb. If such a first verb is one of the ones listed in the table below, it usually requires the second (following) verb to appear in its infinitive form with ‘to’.
- Some of the verbs that need the to-infinitive:
- afford to travel
- hope to see
- Examples of such verb-infinitive combinations in sentences:
- “Peter arranged to meet the Chinese clients next Monday.”
- Here, ‘arranged’ is the first verb directly followed by the infinitive ‘to meet’.
- “My friend John promised to give up smoking.”
- In this statement, the base form ‘to give’ comes right after ‘promised’.
- “Peter arranged to meet the Chinese clients next Monday.”
- Information: If you need more details on the general usage, have a look at the English infinitive.
List of verbs followed by the to-infinitive
| English verb | Example combination |
|---|---|
| afford | afford to buy |
| agree | agree to talk |
| aim | aim to succeed |
| appear | appear to be difficult |
| arrange | arrange to meet |
| attempt | attempt to do |
| beg | beg to tell the truth |
| care | care to have some tea |
| choose | choose to move |
| claim | claim to be the owner |
| condescend | condescend to write |
| consent | consent to use |
| dare | dare to ask / dare ask Info: Can also be used without ‘to’. |
| decide | decide to sell |
| demand | demand to know |
| deserve | deserve to be treated well |
| determine | determined to continue Info: This verb is mostly used in the passive voice. |
| endeavour | endeavour to carry on |
| expect | expect to receive |
| fail | fail to complete |
| forget | forget to tell |
| guarantee | guarantee to accept |
| happen | happen to know |
| have | have to work |
| help | help to finish / help finish Info: Can also be used without ‘to’. |
| hesitate | hesitate to make a decision |
| hope | hope to see |
| learn | learn to fly |
| long | long to be |
| manage | manage to organise |
| mean | mean to hurt |
| need | need to drink |
| neglect | neglect to have done |
| offer | offer to help |
| plan | plan to travel |
| prepare | prepare to compromise |
| pretend | pretend to be |
| proceed | proceed to change |
| promise | promise to come |
| refuse | refuse to provide money |
| resolve | resolve to review |
| seem | seem to work out |
| stop | stop to talk |
| swear | swear to stay at home |
| tend | tend to eat too much |
| threaten | threaten to fire someone |
| trouble | trouble to help |
| undertake | undertake to meet the cost |
| volunteer | volunteer to assist |
| vow | vow to protect |
| want | want to say |
| wish | wish to study |
Further explanations related to ‘Verbs with to-infinitive’
The following explanations relate to the topic ‘English verbs that require the to-infinitive’ and might also be interesting: