UNIT 53. Verb + to... (decide to do/forget to do etc.)

UNIT 53. Verb + to... (decide to do/forget to do etc.)

A. offer decide hope deserve attempt promise agree plan aim afford manage threaten

refuse arrange learn forget fail

If these verbs are followed by another verb, the structure is usually verb + to ... (infinitive):

* It was late, so we decided to take a taxi home.

* Simon was in a difficult situation, so I agreed to lend him some money.

* How old were you when you learnt to drive? (or 'learnt how to drive')

* I waved to Karen but failed to attract her attention.

Note these examples with the negative not to ...:

* We decided not to go out because of the weather.

* I promised not to be late.

With many verbs you cannot normally use to... . For example, enjoy/think/suggest:

* I enjoy dancing. (not 'enjoy to dance')

* Ian suggested going to the cinema. (not 'suggested to go')

* Are you thinking of buying a car? (not 'thinking to buy')

For verb + ~ing, see Unit 52. For verb + preposition + ~ing, see Unit 61.

B. We also use to... after: seem appear tend pretend claim. For example:

* They seem to have plenty of money,

* I like George but I think he tends to talk too much.

* Ann pretended not to see me as she passed me in the street.

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)

C. We say 'decide to do something', 'promise to do something' etc. In the same way, we say 'a decision

to do something', 'a promise to do something' etc. (noun + to..).

* I think his decision to give up his Job was stupid.

* George has a tendency to talk too much.

D. After dare you can use the infinitive with or without to:

* I wouldn't dare to tell him. or I wouldn't dare tell him.

But after daren't (or dare not), you must use the infinitive without to:

* I daren't tell him what happened. (not 'I daren't to tell him')

E. After the following verbs you can use a question word (what/whether/how etc.) + to ...

ask decide know remember forget explain learn understand wonder

We asked how to get to the station.

Have you decided where to go for your holidays?

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.