54. Verb + to (decide to …./ forget to … etc.) ENGLISH GRAMMAR IN USE FOR INTERMEDIATE

ENGLISH GRAMMAR IN USE FOR INTERMEDIATE

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

A	offer decide hope deserve promise agree plan manage afford threaten refuse arrange fail forget learn After these verbs you can use to ... (infinitive): ·         It was late, so we decided to take a taxi home. ·         Simon was in a difficult situation, so I agreed to help him. ·         How old were you when you learnt to drive? (or learnt how to drive) ·         I waved to Karen, but failed to attract her attention. The negative is not to ... : ·         We decided not to go out because of the weather. ·         I promised not to be late. After some verbs to ... is not possible. For example, enjoy/think/suggest: ·         I enjoy reading. (not enjoy to read) ·         Andy suggested meeting for coffee. (not suggested to meet) ·         Are you thinking of buying a car? (not thinking to buy) For verb+ -ing, see Unit 53. For verb+ preposition+ -ing, see Unit 62.
B	After dare you can use the infinitive with or without to: ·         I wouldn't dare to tell him.             or             I wouldn't dare tell him. But after dare not (or daren't), you must use the infinitive without to: ·         I daren't tell him what happened. (not I daren't to tell him)
C	We also use to ... after: seem appear tend pretend claim For example: ·         They seem to have plenty of money. ·         I like Dan, but I think he tends to talk too much. ·         Ann pretended not to see me when she passed me in the street. There is also a continuous infinitive (to be doing) and a perfect infinitive (to have done): ·         I pretended to be reading the paper. (=I pretended that I was reading) ·         You seem to have lost weight. (=it seems that you have lost weight) ·         Joe seems to be enjoying his new job. (= it seems that he is enjoying it)
D	After some verbs you can use a question word (what/whether/how etc.) +to .... We use this structure especially after: ask remember forget understand wonder decide know explain learn We asked Have you decided I don’t know do you understand how where whether what to get to go to apply to do? to the station. for your holidays? for the job or not. Also show/tell/ask/advise/teach somebody what/how/where to do something: ·         Can somebody show me how to use this camera? ·         Ask jack. He'll tell you what to do.

EXERCISES

54.1	Complete the sentences for these situations. 1 A: Shall we get married? B: Yes, let’s. They decided ____ to get married ______ 2 A: Please help me. B: OK. She agreed ________________________ 3 A: Can I carry your bag for you? B: No, thanks. I can manage He offered ________________________ 4 A: Let’s meet at 8 o’clock. B: OK, fine. They arranged ________________________ 5 A: What’s your name? B: I am not going to tell you. She refused ________________________ 6 A: Please don’t tell anyone. B: I won’t. I promise. She promised ________________________
54.2	Complete each sentence with a suitable verb. 1 Don't forget ___to lock____ the door when you go out. 2 There was a lot of traffic, but we managed ______ to the airport in time. 3 We couldn't afford ______ in London. It's too expensive. 4 We've got new computer software in our office. I haven't learnt ______ it yet. 5 Mark doesn't know what happened. I decided not ______ him. 6 We were all afraid to speak. Nobody dared ______ anything.
54.3	Put the verb into the correct form, to ... or -ing. (See Unit 53 for verbs+ -ing.) 1 When I'm tired, I enjoy ____watching_____ television. It's relaxing. (watch) 2 I've decided ____________ for another job. I need a change. (look) 3 Let's get a taxi. I don't fancy ____________ home. (walk) 4 I'm not in a hurry. I don't mind ____________ (wait) 5 Tina ran in a marathon last week, but she failed ____________. (finish) 6 I wish that dog would stop ____________. It's driving me crazy. (bark) 7 Our neighbour threatened ____________ the police if we didn't stop the noise. (call) 8 We were hungry, so I suggested ____________  dinner early. (have) 9 Hurry up! I don't want to risk ___________ the train. (miss) 10 They didn't know I was listening to them. I pretended ________________ asleep. (be)
54.4	Make a new sentence using the verb in brackets. 1 You've lost weight. (seem) __You seem to have lost weight.____ 2 Tom is worried about something. (appear) Tom appears _________________ 3 You know a lot of people. (seem) You __________________________ 4 My English is getting better. (seem) ______________________________ 5 That car has broken down. (appear) ______________________________ 6 David forgets things. (tend) ______________________________ 7 They have solved the problem. (claim) ______________________________
54.5	Complete each sentence using what/how/where/whether+ these verbs: do get go put ride use 1 Do you know ____ how to get _____to John's house? 2 Would you know ____________ if there was a fire in the building? 3 You'll never forget ____________ a bicycle once you've learnt. 4 I've been invited to the party, but I haven't decided ____________ or not. 5 My room is very untidy. I've got so many things and I don't know ____________ them. 6 I have some clothes to wash. Can you show me ____________ the washing machine?

ANSWER KEY

54.1 2 to help him 3 to carry her bag (for her) 4 to meet at 8 o'clock 5 to tell him her name /to give him her name 6 not to tell anyone 54.2 2 to get 3 to live 4 {how) to use 5 to tell 6 say or to say 54.3 2 to look 3 walking 4 waiting 5 to finish 6 barking 7 to call 8 having 9 missing 10 to be 54.4 2 Tom appears to be worried about something. 3 You seem to know a lot of people. 4 My English seems to be getting better. 5 That car appears to have broken down. 6 David tends to forget things. 7 They claim to have solved the problem. 54.5 2 what to do 3 how to ride 4 whether to go 5 where to put 6 how to use