Verbs Followed by to + Infinitive in English (A Clear Guide with Examples for B2-C1 Learners)
Hello, English learners! Today, we will look at an important grammar point: verbs that are followed by to + infinitive, not the –ing form.
You will see this structure all the time in everyday English, and it is especially important if you are preparing for B2 First or C1 Advanced. Using the wrong form is a common and noticeable mistake.
Let’s break it down with clear, natural examples you can use in exams.
Verbs that ALWAYS take to + infinitive
Some verbs are always followed by to + base verb, never by –ing.
These include: agree, decide, hope, plan, refuse, manage, promise, offer, afford, expect, want, need, learn, seem, appear, fail, attempt.
- I decided to take the exam next year.
- She hopes to move abroad after graduation.
- We can’t afford to waste time on unnecessary details.
- He managed to solve the problem despite the pressure.
- They refused to comment on the situation.
- I’m learning to drive, and it’s harder than I expected.
- The company plans to expand its operations next year.
Negative forms
To make the infinitive negative, add not before to:
- She decided not to accept the job offer.
- I promised not to tell anyone about the surprise.
- He seems not to understand the seriousness of the issue.
Verb + object + to + infinitive
Many verbs are followed by someone + to + infinitive.
You’ll often hear this structure in spoken English and see it in Cambridge Writing tasks.
You’ll often hear this structure in spoken English and see it in Cambridge Writing tasks.
Common verbs include: want, ask, tell, allow, expect, encourage, persuade, advise, remind, force
- The teacher encouraged us to think more critically.
- My parents want me to focus on my studies.
- She reminded him to send the email before leaving.
- They advised us to arrive early for the interview.
- The manager asked everyone to stay calm.
Passive infinitive
Structure: to be + past participle
Use the passive infinitive when something is done to the subject.
- She expects to be promoted soon.
- He wants to be respected, not feared.
- The documents need to be signed by Friday.
- I would hate to be misunderstood in that situation.
Perfect infinitive
Structure: to have + past participle
Use the perfect infinitive to talk about an action that happened before the main verb.
This is especially common with verbs like seem, appear, claim, pretend.
- He seems to have forgotten the meeting.
- She claims to have met the author personally.
- They appear to have made a serious mistake.
This structure sounds advanced and is great for C1 level.
Adjectives followed by to + infinitive
Many adjectives are followed by to + infinitive, especially when giving opinions or making evaluations.
Common examples: happy, glad, pleased, ready, willing, able, reluctant, eager
- I’m happy to help if you need anything.
- She was reluctant to speak in public.
- They are eager to learn more about the topic.
- He wasn’t ready to admit his mistake.
Common mistakes to avoid
❌ I suggested to go earlier.
✔ I suggested going earlier.
✔ I suggested going earlier.
❌ I enjoy to travel.
✔ I enjoy travelling.
✔ I enjoy travelling.
❌ She made me to apologise.
✔ She made me apologise.
Make and let are followed by the bare infinitive, with no “to”.
✔ She made me apologise.
Make and let are followed by the bare infinitive, with no “to”.
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