Verb + infinitive

These verbs may be followed by an infinitive but not by a gerund:

agree

expect

need

refuse

ask

help

offer

wait

beg

hope

plan

want

claim

manage

pretend

wish

decide

mean

promise

would like

Example sentence: Jill has offered to water [not watering] the plants while we are away.

Example sentence: Joe finally managed to find a parking space.

Example sentence: The man refused to join the rebellion.

A few of these verbs may be followed either by an infinitive directly or by a noun or pronoun plus an infinitive:

ask

help

promise

would like

expect

need

want

Example sentence: We asked to speak to the congregation. Example sentence: We asked Rabbi Abrams to speak to our congregation.

Example sentence: Alex expected to get the lead in the play. Example sentence: Ira expected Alex to get the lead in the play.

Exercises:

Verbs followed by gerunds or infinitives 1

Verbs followed by gerunds or infinitives 2