Infinitives after verbs: It’s beginning to rain.
After many non-auxiliary verbs, we can use the infinitives of other verbs.
- It’s beginning to rain.
- I don’t want to see you again.
- She seems to be crying.
- I expect to have finished by tomorrow evening.
- The car needs to be cleaned.
Common verbs that can be followed by infinitives (for more detailed entries on some of these, search the Index):
- afford
- agree
- appear
- arrange
- ask
- attempt
- (can’t) bear
- beg
- begin
- care
- choose
- consent
- continue
- dare
- decide
- expect
- fail
- forget
- go on
- happen
- hate
- help
- hesitate
- hope
- intend
- learn
- like
- love
- manage
- mean
- neglect
- offer
- prefer
- prepare
- pretend
- propose
- promise
- refuse
- regret
- remember
- seem
- start
- swear
- trouble
- try
- want
- wish
Some of these verbs can be followed by object + infinitive (e.g. I want her to be happy). For details, (see here). A few verbs are followed by verb + for + object + infinitive (e.g. I arranged for her to have violin lessons). For details of these, (see here).
After some verbs we can use not only an infinitive but also an -ing form (sometimes with a difference of meaning). For details, (see here).
After some verbs, it is not possible to use an infinitive. Many of these can be followed by -ing forms (see here).
- I enjoy sailing. (not
I enjoy to sail.)
For perfect infinitives after verbs, (see here).
For have + infinitive (e.g. I have to go now), (see here).
For be + infinitive (e.g. You are to start tomorrow), (see here).
For information about the structures that are possible with a particular verb, see a good dictionary.