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.
EXERCISES
53.1
Complete the sentences for each situation.
1. Shall
we get married? Yes, let's.
They
decided _to get married._
2.
Please help me. OK.
She
agreed ---
3. Can I
carry your bag for you? No, thanks. I can manage.
He
offered ---
4. Let's
meet at 8 o'clock. OK, fine.
They
arranged ---
5.
What's your name? I'm not going to tell you.
She
refused ---
53.2
Complete each sentence with a suitable verb.
1. Don't
forget to post the letter I gave you.
2. There
was a lot of traffic but we managed --- to the airport in time.
3. Jill
has decided not --- a car.
4. We've
got a new computer in our office. I haven't learnt --- it yet.
5. I
wonder where Sue is. She promised not late.
6. We
were all too afraid to speak. Nobody dared --- anything.
53.3 Put
the verb into the correct form, to ... or ~ing. (See Unit 52 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. It's
a nice day. Does anyone fancy --- for a walk? (go)
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. (go)
6. I wish
that dog would stop --- It's driving me mad. (bark)
7. Our
neighbour threatened --- the police if we didn't stop the noise. (call)
8. We
were hungry, so I suggested --- dinner early. (have)
9. Hurry
up! I don't want to risk --- the train. (miss)
10. I'm
still looking for a job but I hope --- something soon. (find)
53.4
Make a new sentence using the verb in brackets.
1. He
has lost weight. (seem)
_He
seems 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)
53.5
Complete each sentence using what/how/whether + one of these verbs:
do go
ride say use
1. Do
you know how to get 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'll
never forget --- a bicycle once you have learned.
5. I was
really astonished. I didn't know ---
6. I've
been invited to the party but I don't know --- or not.
Answer
53.1
2 She
agreed to help him.
3 He
offered to carry her bag.
4 They
arranged to meet at 8 o'clock.
5 She
refused to tell him her name.
53.2
2 to get
3 to
buy/to have/to drive
4 (how)
to use/(how) to operate
5 to be
6 say or
to say
53.3
2 to
go 3 going
4
waiting 5 to go
6
barking 7 to call
8
having 9 missing
10 to
find
53.4
2 Tom
appears to be worried about something.
3 You
seem to know a lot of people.
4 My
English seems to be getting better.
5 That
car appears to have broken down.
6 David
tends to forget things.
7 They
claim to have solved the problem.
53.5
2 how to
use
3 what
to do
4 how to
ride
5 what
to say
6
whether to go
