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Unit 52 Verb + To

The document provides information on the use of infinitives (to + verb) after certain verbs in English. It discusses verbs that can be followed by to + infinitive or -ing form verbs, as well as verbs that require other structures like questions words + to + infinitive. Examples are given for each case to illustrate proper usage. The document is intended to teach English learners when and how to use infinitives after different types of verbs.

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Jasmin Manalo Aquino
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238 views5 pages

Unit 52 Verb + To

The document provides information on the use of infinitives (to + verb) after certain verbs in English. It discusses verbs that can be followed by to + infinitive or -ing form verbs, as well as verbs that require other structures like questions words + to + infinitive. Examples are given for each case to illustrate proper usage. The document is intended to teach English learners when and how to use infinitives after different types of verbs.

Uploaded by

Jasmin Manalo Aquino
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A.

offer decide hope deserve promise


agree plan manage afford threaten
refuse arrange fail forget learn
After these verbs, you can use to . . . (infinitive):
 It was late, so we decided to take a taxi home.
 David was in a difficult situation, so I agreed to help him.
 How old were you when you learned to drive? (or learned how to drive)
 Karen failed to make a good impression at the job interview.

The negative is not to . . .


 We decided not to go out because of the weather.
 I promised not to be late.

After some verbs, to . . . Is not possible. For example, enjoy/think/suggest:


 I enjoy reading. (not enjoy to read)
 Sam suggested going to the movies. (not suggested to go)
 Are you thinking of buying a car? (not thinking to buy)

For verb + -ing, see Unit 51. For verb + preposition + -ing, see Unit 60.

B. We also use to . . . after:


seem appear tend pretend claim
For example:
 They seem to have plenty of money.
 I like Dan, but I think he tends to talk too much.
 Ann pretended not to see me when she passed me on the street.
B. Continuation . . .
There is also a continuous infinitive (to be doing) and a perfect infinitive (to have done)
 I pretended to be reading the newspaper. (= I pretended that I was reading)
 You seem to have lost weight. (= it seems that you have lost weight)
 Joe seems to be enjoying his new job. (= it seems that he is enjoying it)

C. After dare, you can use a verb with or without to:


 I wouldn’t dare to tell him. or I wouldn’t dare tell him.

D. After some verbs, you an use a question word (what/whether/how, etc.) + to . . . We use
this structure especially after:
 They admitted having stolen the money.
ask decide know remember forget
learn understand wonder explain

We asked how to get to the station


Have you decided where to go for your vacation?
I don’t know whether to apply for the job or not?
Do you understand what to do?

Also: show/tell/ask/advise/teach somebody what/how/where to do something:


 Can somebody show me how to change the film in this camera?
 Ask Jack. He’ll tell you what to do.
Exercises
52.1 Complete the sentences for these situations:
1. Should we get Yes. to get
They decided ________________
married? married
______________________________.

2. Please help OK. She agreed __________________


me. ______________________________.
Can I carry No, thanks. I
3. your bags He offered ___________________
can manage.
for you? ______________________________.
Let’s meet
4. OK, fine. They arranged _______________
at 8:00.
______________________________.
What’s your I’m not going
5. name? to tell you. She refused __________________
______________________________.
Please don’t
6. I won’t. I promise She promised _________________
tell anyone.
______________________________.
52.2 Put the verb into the correct form, to . . . Or –ing. (See Unit 51 for verb+ -ing.)
1. When I’m tired, I enjoy _________________
watching television. It’s relaxing. (watch)
2. It was a nice day, so we decided ______________________ for a walk. (go)
3. There was a lot of traffic, but we managed ______________ to the airport on time. (get)
4. I’m not in a hurry. I don’t mind _________________. (wait)
5. They don’t have much money. They can’t afford _________________ out very often. (eat)
6. We’ve got new computer software in our office. I haven’t learned how
____________________ it yet. ((use)
52.2 Put the verb into the correct form, to . . . Or –ing. (See Unit 51 for verb+ -ing.) continuation…
7. I wish that dog would stop ________________. It’s driving me crazy. (bark)
8. Our neighbor threatened _________________ the police if we didn’t stop the noise. (call)
9. We were hungry so I suggested ____________________ dinner early. (have)
10. We were all afraid to speak. Nobody dared ________________ anything. (say)
11. Hurry up! I don’t want to risk _________________ the train. (miss)
12. I’m still looking for a job, but I hope _________________ something soon. (find)
52.3 Make a new sentence using the verb in parentheses.
1. You’ve lost weight. (seem) ______________________________________
You seem to have lost weight.
2. Tom is worried about something. (appear) Tom appears ________________________
3. You know a lot of people. (seem) You _________________________________
4. My English is getting better. (seem) ______________________________________
5. That car has broken down. (appear) ______________________________________
6. David forgets things. (tend) ______________________________________
7. They have solved the problem. (claim) ______________________________________
52.4 Complete each sentence using what/how/whether + one of the following verbs:

do get go ride say use

1. Do you know ___________________


how to get to John’s house?
2. Can you show me ________________________ this washing machine?
3. Would you know ______________________ if there was a fire in the building?
4. You never forget _____________________ a bicycle once you’ve learned.
5. I was really astonished. I didn’t know ________________________.
6. I was invited to the party, but I haven’t decided ___________________________ or not.

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