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')
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)
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.
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')
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?
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.
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.
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
