Verbs followed by the infinitive. English ESL Worksheets. English grammar with exercises. Free eBook and Free printable PDF
Verbs followed by the infinitive
Many verbs in English are followed by the infinitive with to.
We planned to take a holiday.
She decided to stay at home.
Infinitives without to
In some cases we use the infinitive without to:
– After modal auxiliary verbs
I must go now
– After let, make, hear, feel, watch
They made me wait.
I don’t let my children stay up late
– Help can be followed by an infinitive with or without to.
She helped me to unload my car.
OR She helped me unload my car.
Some verbs are followed by the infinitive with to. Common verbs with this pattern are:
- verbs of thinking and feeling:
| choose decide expect forget | hate hope intend learn | like love mean plan | prefer remember want would like/love |
- verbs of saying:
| agree | promise | refuse | threaten |
- others
| arrange attempt | fail help | manage tend | try |
Exercises
Verbs followed by the infinitive
VERBS + INFINITIVE
EXPLANATION
Some verbs can be followed by both a noun or an infinitive of one verb.
EXERCISE 1.
Use the hints given to form correct sentences with a verb in its infinitive form or with the verb followed by a noun.
e.g. I want / beer
I want some beer.
I want to drink a beer.
1. She wants / money.
2. They need /a bath
3. We need / a doctor
4. She would like / a coke
5. You need / a beautiful dress
INFINITIVE WITH OR WITHOUT TO
EXERCISE 1.
Complete each sentence with a suitable word from the box:
Forget refuse promise hope pretend manage agree decide seem tend
e.g I tried to do my best but it was useless
- I was very tired, I …………………… to take a taxi home
- I………….. to pass my exam. I really want to go on holiday
- The thief got into the house because I …………………..to close the window
- At the beginning she wasn’t very sure but in the end she …………… to buy the car
- Jim ………………….. to lend me any money
- Tom is always very sad. He ………………..to be worried about something
- We got lost in the middle of the city but in the end we ………………….. to find the House.
- I am really worry for my daughter. She ………………not to be late
- My dog is very fat because he ………………to eat too much
- I shouted to her. She …………….. not to see me but I am sure she did
EXERCISE 2.
Now you have to decide if the infinitive is with or without to.
- 1. I must ………………go to the doctor. I am not feeling very well in these days
- 2. When I was 18 I learnt how …………………drive a car
- 3. You don’t need ………………..clean this carpet. It’s perfect!
- 4. Ann offered ………………….look after our children while we were out
- 5. I can’t …………………………….speak German
Verbs followed by the infinitive – Exercises: eBook and PDF
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