Grammar: B1 - ⚙️ Verbs in Depth: 🎭 Modals & 🌱 Non-Finite Verbs (Introduction) - Lesson 9: Verbs commonly followed by Infinitives (to + verb: want, hope, decide + to V)

🌱 Lesson 9: Verbs Followed by Infinitives (to + verb)

In our last lesson, we saw that some verbs must be followed by a gerund (-ing). Today, we look at the other major group: verbs that are followed by an infinitive¹ (`to + verb`). Learning this verb pattern² is essential for speaking and writing correctly. These verbs often express a desire³, plan, or decision⁴.

Common Verbs + Infinitive

Just like with gerunds, there is no simple rule for which verbs take an infinitive. You need to become familiar with them through practice. Here are some of the most common ones.

Structure: Subject + Verb + to + verb (infinitive)

• want: I want to visit the Phare circus in Battambang.
• hope: We hope to see you there tonight.
• need: You need to buy a ticket in advance.
• plan: They are planning to travel to Siem Reap next month.
• decide: She has decided to learn French.
• promise: He promised to call me later.
• learn: My brother is learning to ride a motorbike.
• would like: I would like to order a coffee, please.

Verb + Object + Infinitive

Some of these verbs can also use a different, very useful pattern. They can take an object⁵ (usually a person) before the infinitive.

Structure: Subject + Verb + Object + to + verb (infinitive)

Example 1 (want): "My parents want me to study hard." (They don't want to study, they want *me* to study).

Example 2 (ask): "I asked my friend to help me with my homework."

Example 3 (tell): "The teacher told us to be quiet."

🧠 Practice Quiz: Complete the Sentence

Put the verb in brackets into the correct infinitive form.

1. I hope _______ (see) you again soon.
   Answer: to see
2. She decided _______ (not go) to the party because she was tired.
   Answer: not to go (For a negative infinitive, 'not' comes before 'to'.)
3. He promised _______ (help) me with my project tomorrow.
   Answer: to help
4. We are planning _______ (travel) to the coast during the holiday.
   Answer: to travel
5. The doctor told me _______ (get) more rest.
   Answer: to get (This uses the 'verb + object + infinitive' pattern.)

📝 Homework: Your Plans & Desires

Complete these sentences with your own ideas using an infinitive.

1. Next year, I want...
   (Example: Next year, I want to travel to a new country.)
   _________________________________________
2. Recently, I have decided...
   (Example: Recently, I have decided to wake up earlier every day.)
   _________________________________________
3. My parents or teachers always told me...
   (Example: My parents always told me to be kind to others.)
   _________________________________________

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Infinitive: (Noun) - កិរិយាស័ព្ទដើម (kĕ'rĭ'ya'sâp daem) - The basic form of a verb, with 'to'. It does not show a tense. ↩
2. Pattern: (Noun) - ទម្រង់ (tŭm'rɔng) - The regular and repeated way in which something is done; a structure or rule. ↩
3. Desire: (Noun) - បំណងប្រាថ្នា (bâm'nâng pra'tʰnaa) - A strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen. ↩
4. Decision: (Noun) - ការសម្រេចចិត្ត (kaa sâm'rĕch'chĕt) - A choice that you make about something after thinking about it. ↩
5. Object: (Noun) - កម្មបទ (kâm'mâ'bât) - In grammar, the noun or pronoun that is affected by the action of a verb. ↩