Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 54 · B1

Verb + to ... (decide to ... / forget to ... etc.)

Many verbs (decide, agree, refuse, promise, manage, afford and others) are followed by to + infinitive. The unit also covers dare, seem/appear/pretend/claim with continuous and perfect infinitives, and question word + to ....

Start the lesson

18Steps · about 30 minutes

In this lesson

decide, agree, refuse and others + to ...A7 screens of questions
dareB1 screen of questions
seem, appear, pretend, claim + to ...C2 screens of questions
Question word + to ...D2 screens of questions

Point A of 4

decide, agree, refuse and others + to ...

After these verbs you can use to ... (the infinitive):

offer, agree, refuse, decide, plan, arrange, hope, forget, manage, fail, promise, threaten, deserve, afford, learn, tend

The negative is not to ...

Take care, because some verbs take -ing and not to .... enjoy, suggest and think of are three of them (see Units 53 and 62).

Correct Not
I enjoy swimming. enjoy to swim
Tom suggested going for a curry. suggested to go
Are you thinking of selling the house? thinking to sell
  • The last bus had gone, so we decided to walk home.
  • My neighbour was moving house, so I offered to help her.
  • I rang the council three times but failed to get an answer.
  • My brother tends to exaggerate.
  • When did you learn to swim?
  • When did you learn how to swim?
  • We decided not to go to the fireworks because of the rain.
  • I promised not to tell anyone.

Point A · Exercise 54.1 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentence for each situation.

  1. Example

    "Shall we buy a dog?" "Yes, let's." (They decided ...)

    They decided to buy a dog.

    AnswerThey decided to buy a dog.

  2. "Please lend me your car." "OK." (She agreed ...)

  3. "Shall I wash up?" "No, thanks. It's fine." (He offered ...)

  4. "Let's meet outside the cinema." "OK, fine." (They arranged ...)

  5. "How old are you?" "Mind your own business." (She refused ...)

Point A · Exercise 54.1 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentence for each situation.

  1. "Please don't be late." "I won't. I promise." (She promised ...)

Point A · Exercise 54.2 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences. Use a suitable verb.

  1. Example

    Don't forget to close the windows before you go out.

    AnswerDon't forget to close the windows before you go out.

  2. The roads were icy, but we managed home safely.

  3. We can't afford on holiday this year. Money's too tight.

  4. I've never been on a horse, but I'd like to learn .

  5. I didn't want to upset Carys, so I decided not her what had happened.

Point A · Exercise 54.2 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences. Use a suitable verb.

  1. The head teacher was furious. Nobody dared a word.

Point A · Exercise 54.3 · part 1 of 3

Put the verb into the correct form, to ... or -ing. (See Unit 53 for verbs + -ing.)

  1. Example

    When I'm on holiday, I enjoy sleeping late. (sleep)

    AnswerWhen I'm on holiday, I enjoy sleeping late.

  2. I've decided a new car. My old one is falling to bits. (buy)

  3. I'm staying exactly where I am! I refuse . (leave)

  4. There's no rush. I don't mind . (queue)

  5. Lewis entered the baking competition, but he failed . (win)

Point A · Exercise 54.3 · part 2 of 3

Put the verb into the correct form, to ... or -ing. (See Unit 53 for verbs + -ing.)

  1. I wish the people next door would stop . It's driving me up the wall. (shout)

  2. I didn't want to talk to the man next to me on the train, so I pretended busy. (be)

  3. It was cold outside, so I suggested indoors. (eat)

  4. Let's get there early. I don't want to risk our seats. (lose)

Point A · Exercise 54.3 · part 3 of 3

Put the verb into the correct form, to ... or -ing. (See Unit 53 for verbs + -ing.)

  1. Ellie is very shy. She tends not much in meetings. (speak)

Point B of 4

dare

dare can be followed by the infinitive with to or without it.

dare not (or daren't) is never followed by to.

  • I didn't dare to ask for a pay rise.
  • I didn't dare ask for a pay rise.
  • I daren't tell Mum about the scratch on her car.

Point B · Extra practice

Complete each sentence with the right form of dare and the verb in brackets.

  1. I didn't for a pay rise. (ask)

  2. I tell Mum about the dent in her car. (not)

  3. Nobody to answer the teacher back. (dare, past)

Point C of 4

seem, appear, pretend, claim + to ...

seem, appear, pretend and claim are also followed by to ...

They can take a continuous infinitive, to be -ing, and a perfect infinitive, to have done:

Sentence Meaning
I pretended to be working. I pretended that I was working.
I seem to have left my wallet at home. It seems that I have left my wallet at home.
He claimed not to have heard the alarm. He claimed that he had not heard the alarm.

The alarm, it should be said, was audible in the next street.

  • Our new neighbours seem to be very friendly.
  • Lee pretended not to notice me in the supermarket.
  • I pretended to be working when the boss walked in.
  • I seem to have left my wallet at home.
  • He claimed not to have heard the alarm.

Point C · Exercise 54.4 · part 1 of 2

Make a new sentence using the verb in brackets.

  1. Example

    I've forgotten my password. (seem)

    I seem to have forgotten my password.

    AnswerI seem to have forgotten my password.

  2. Hamid is upset about something. (appear)

  3. You have lots of friends here. (seem)

  4. The weather is improving. (seem)

  5. The printer has run out of ink. (appear)

Point C · Exercise 54.4 · part 2 of 2

Make a new sentence using the verb in brackets.

  1. Joel is enjoying his new course. (seem)

  2. They have finished the work. (claim)

Point D of 4

Question word + to ...

A question word (what / how / where / whether etc.) + to ... can follow these verbs:

ask, decide, explain, forget, know, learn, remember, understand, wonder

It also follows show / tell / ask / advise / teach + somebody.

  • We asked which bus to take to the leisure centre.
  • Have you decided where to have the party?
  • I can't decide whether to sell my car or not.
  • Do you understand what to do?
  • Could you show me how to use the photocopier?
  • Ask Brenda. She'll tell you what to do.

Point D · Exercise 54.5 · part 1 of 2

Complete each sentence using what/how/where/whether + one of these verbs.

Use these

cookdofindgokeepwork

  1. Example

    Can you tell me where to find a decent café round here?

    AnswerCan you tell me where to find a decent café round here?

  2. Would you know if your car broke down on the motorway?

  3. Once Gran has shown you a proper roast dinner, you'll never forget it.

  4. I've been offered a place on the course, but I haven't decided or not.

  5. I've got hundreds of books and I don't know them all.

Point D · Exercise 54.5 · part 2 of 2

Complete each sentence using what/how/where/whether + one of these verbs.

Use these

cookdofindgokeepwork

  1. We've got a new coffee machine at work. Can you show me it?

Lesson 54 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Verb (+ object) + to ... (I want you to ...)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. decide, agree, refuse and others + to ...–Not checkedB. dare–Not checkedC. seem, appear, pretend, claim + to ...–Not checkedD. Question word + to ...–Not checked