Do you know when to use verbs in the infinitive form (to + verb) in English? Discover 3 helpful tips in this lesson to help you understand when to use the infinitive form.
1) After adjectives
Examples:
- It’s difficult to find a house in New York.
- It’s easy to meet new people.
- It’s good to visit new places.
2) After most verbs, including:
agree - advise - appear - arrange - ask - attempt - be able - beg - choose - command - continue - decide - deserve - desire - dislike - encourage - expect - fail - forget - happen - hope - intend - like - love - motivate - neglect - offer - pay - plan - prefer - prepare - proceed - promise - refuse - remember - start - try - want - warn.
Examples:
- We happen to know each other.
- I begged him to wash the dishes.
- We’ve decided to move to a new house.
3) To explain the motivations for an action:
Examples:
- I’m going to the store to buy some yogurt.
- We’re going to the cinema to see the latest Clint Eastwood movie.
- I’m going to the library to meet my Spanish friend.
Let’s practice!
Fill in the blank with one of the following verbs:
to call - to go out - to give - to have - to write - to be - to act - to save - to believe - to remain
1) Do you remember that guy who asked me ________________________ him my phone number?
2) Yesterday, we happened ________________________ at the same party.
3) I asked him why he didn’t remember ________________________ me.
4) He started ________________________ really nervous and said that he intended
________________________ me a message.
5) He told me he forgot ________________________ my number in his phone.
6) My friend advised me not ________________________ him.
7) In the end, he did call me, and we started to ________________________ together.
8) I preferred not ________________________ any serious relationship, so, in the end, we agreed ________________________ friends.
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