50+ Common Verbs Followed by Infinitives in English (With Examples)

 

What Is an Infinitive?

Definition

An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually with “to” in front of it.

✔ Examples:

• to eat
• to go
• to study
• to travel

When certain verbs come first, the next verb must be in the infinitive form.

Example:
✅ She hopes to get the job.
⛔ She hopes get the job. (wrong)

Common Structure

There are two basic patterns:

🔹 1. Verb + to-infinitive

S + Verb + to + V

• I want to learn English.

• They decided to travel next month.

🔹 2. Verb + Object + to-infinitive

S + Verb + Object + to + V

• She asked me to help her.

• They told him to wait outside.

Most Common Verbs Followed by Infinitives

Here are the most frequently used verbs that must be followed by “to + verb”:

🔹 Verbs of Desire or Intention

• want

• hope

• plan

• wish

• expect

• aim

• intend

• would like

Examples:

• I want to rest after work.

• They plan to visit Japan.

🔹 Verbs of Decision or Effort

• decide

• try

• manage

• promise

• refuse

• prepare

• agree

• fail

Examples:

• She decided to quit her job.

• He managed to fix the computer.

🔹 Verbs About Asking, Ordering, or Telling

(often used with an object)

• ask

• tell

• advise

• remind

• order

• encourage

• persuade

• expect (someone) to

• want (someone) to

Examples:

• My teacher told me to study harder.

• They asked her to join the team.

🔹 Verbs About Emotions and Preferences

• love

• like

• prefer

• hate

• can’t wait

• would like

Examples:

• I love to cook on weekends.

• She hates to wait for long.

🔹 Verbs About Chance or Tendency

• seem

• appear

• happen

• tend

• pretend

• claim

Examples:

• He seems to understand the problem.

• I happened to meet her yesterday.

Full List of Verbs Followed by Infinitives

Here are the important verbs that are followed by infinitives:

Verbs Followed by Infinitives
Agree	Aim	Appear
Ask	Arrange	Attempt
Begin	Care	Choose
Claim	Continue	Decide
Demand	Deserve	Expect
Fail	Forget	Get
Hate	Help	Hesitate
Hope	Intend	Learn
Like	Love	Manage
Mean	Need	Offer
Plan	Prefer	Prepare
Pretend	Promise	Propose
Refuse	Regret	Remember
Seem	Start	Tend
Try	Want	Wish
Would like	Yearn

Worksheets: Verbs Followed By Infinitives

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks (Verb + to-infinitive)

Complete the sentences using the correct infinitive form.

1. She promised ____ (call) me later.

2. They decided ____ (travel) abroad next summer.

3. I want ____ (learn) Spanish.

4. He forgot ____ (lock) the door before leaving.

5. We hope ____ (finish) the project on time.

6. My dad offered ____ (drive) us to the airport.

7. She pretended ____ (be) asleep.

8. The kids can’t wait ____ (open) their gifts.

✅ Answer Key – Exercise 1:

1. to call

2. to travel

3. to learn

4. to lock

5. to finish

6. to drive

7. to be

8. to open

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (Multiple Choice)

Select the correct option to complete each sentence.

1. He managed ____ the problem.
   a) solve  b) to solve

2. They plan ____ a new car.
   a) to buy  b) buy

3. She refused ____ to the meeting.
   a) go  b) to go

4. I forgot ____ the email.
   a) send  b) to send

5. We hope ____ better results.
   a) get  b) to get

6. He offered ____ me with the report.
   a) help  b) to help

7. She wants ____ a doctor.
   a) to become  b) become

8. The students agreed ____ earlier.
   a) to meet  b) meet

✅ Answer Key – Exercise 2:

1. b) to solve

2. a) to buy

3. b) to go

4. b) to send

5. b) to get

6. b) to help

7. a) to become

8. a) to meet

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences (Use to-infinitive)

Rewrite each sentence using the infinitive.

1. She has a goal. She wants to improve her English.
   → She has a goal __________________________.

2. He made a decision. He will quit his job.
   → He decided __________________________.

3. They have a plan. They will open a restaurant.
   → They plan __________________________.

4. I have a dream. I will travel the world.
   → I hope __________________________.

5. She got permission. She can leave early.
   → She is allowed __________________________.

6. We have no intention. We won’t stay late.
   → We don’t intend __________________________.

7. He has a desire. He wants to be a pilot.
   → He wants __________________________.

8. The company made a promise. They will help us.
   → The company promised __________________________.

✅ Answer Key – Exercise 3:

1. She has a goal to improve her English.

2. He decided to quit his job.

3. They plan to open a restaurant.

4. I hope to travel the world.

5. She is allowed to leave early.

6. We don’t intend to stay late.

7. He wants to be a pilot.

8. The company promised to help us.

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